Old Grimsby

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OLD GRIMSBY.

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®lb ^rimsbi^.

By the Rev. GEORGE SHAW.

Grimsby :
GEORGE SHAW, VICTORIA STREET.

London :
WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., 5, FARR5&|.^D0N. AVE;

1897. ; : : ^

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Contented

PAGB

The Old Town i

British and Roman Times 14

The Anglo-Saxon Period 29

The Danish Period 34

Grimsby After the Conquest 44

The Old Borough 55

The Old Church - - 66

Early Trade and Commerce - - - - 77

Sports and Pastimes 93

Grimsby Families and Notabilities — Members of

Parliament 109

Old Grimsby Notabilities (continued) — Mayors - 136

Condition of the People 150

The Marshes -------- 177

Elections 186

Religious and other Institutions - - - - 225

Educational 241

Bibliography 246

Index 253

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OLD GRIMSBY.

THAT the term '*old" is applicable to
Grimsby no antiquary will be disposed
to dispute, for its origin is wrapped in mystery.
Our earliest authority on the geography of
Britian is Claudius Ptolomaeus,* who takes us
back to about a.d. 120, but his description affords
us no information respecting this part of our
country beyond a few references to the mouth of
the H umber and Spurn, and they are somewhat
indefinite.

The only other writer we know of on this
subject is Antonine, and his description affords us
no help as his first '*iter" commences at Brem-
emium and terminates at Praetorium. The latter
place Camden and most writers considered to be
Patrington, but Mr. Boyle, in his ** Lost Towns of
the H umber,'* gives reasons which show that this

* "Lost Towns of the Humber" pp 1-3.

I

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2 OLD GRIMSBY.

is unlikely, and places Praetorium as far north as
Filey.

Generally the name of a town does much to
settle the date of its origin, as names are often
derived from some warrior or chieftain, who took
possession of a place by conquest or received it as a
gift from the reigning monarch, sometimes from
" some natural feature," as a river, or wood, or lake.
But here again we find ourselves surrounded by un-
certainty. For a long time the opinion prevailed
that the name was derived from Gryme, Grime, or
Grim, names given to a Danish Viking, but as
early a writer as Camden ridiculed the supposition.
** Grimsby,'* he wrote, '* which our Sabines or
conceited persons dreaming what they list, once
following their own fancies, will have to be so
called from one Grime, a merchant, who is said
to have brought up a foundling of the Danes
royal blood, named Haveloke, when it had been
cast forth to perish, or take his luck or fortune, is
much talked of, together with Havelocke, that
Uicky foster child of his, who, having been first a
scullion in the King's kitchen, and afterwards
promoted to the marriage of the King's daughter
for his heroical valour in feats of arms, and
worthy exploits. A narration right well be-

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THE OLD TOWN. 3

seeming and meetest for them that take pleasure
in passing out the long nights with telling of old
wives tales, than for an historian to relate.
Which not being certain, shall be superceded."*

Against this theory, that the town derives its
name from Grime, is urged the fact that a number
of places of evidently a similar derivation are
found in this part of the country, which no
antiquary would dream of attributing to Grime,
such as Little Grimsby, Grimoldby, Grimesthorpe,
and Grimblethorpe, places which are supposed to
have derived their names from the British words
Gra, Moes, Buy, Gra, meaning sacred ; Moes, en-
trenched mounds ; and Buy, a dwelling.t

This derivation of the name, as far as Grimsby
is concerned, is countenanced by the fact th^t
undoubted remains of mounds existed long before
the Danes appeared in this part. These will be
subsequently described.

On the other hand, many writers of note con-
tend that Grime was the founder of the town.
The celebrated Gervase Holies, M.P. fo'r
Grimsby in 1639, a most pains-taking writer, after
dealing with the history of the corporation and

* The "Topographer," August 1789.
t See Rev. J. Wild's ** Ancient Grimsby," p i.

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4 OLD GRIMSBY.

Other matters, wrote : — ** And it will not be amiss
to say something concerning the common tradition
of her first founder, Grime, as the inhabitants
(with a catholique faith) name him. The tradition
is thus. Grime, (say they) a poor fisherman, (as
he was launching into the river for fish in his
little boate upon the H umber) espyed not far
from him another little boate empty, as he might
conceave, which by the favour of the winde and
tyde still approached nearer and nearer unto him.
He betakes him to his oares and meets itt, where-
in he founde onley a child wrapt in swathing
cloaths, purposely exposed (as it should seeme) to
the pittylesse of the wilde and wide ocean. He,
moved with pitty, takes itt home, and, like a good
foster-father, carefully nourisht itt, and en-
deavoured to bring it up in his owne occupation,
but the childe contrarily was wholy devoted to
exercises of activity, and when he begun to write
man, to martiall sports, and at length by his signall
valour obteyned such renown that he marryed
the King of England's daughter, and last of all
founde who was his true father, and that he was
Sonne to the King of Denmarke ; and for the
comick close of all, that Haveloke (for such was
his name) exceedingly advanced and enriched his

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THE OLD TOWN. 5

foster-father Grime, who, thus enriched, builded a
faire towne neare the place where Haveloke was
found, and named it Grimsby. Thus say somme,
others differ a little in the circumstances, as
namely, that Grime was not a fisherman, but a
merchant, and that Havelocke should be preferred
to the King's kitchen, and there live a longe
tyme as a scullion ; but however the circumstances
differ, they all agree in the consequences, as con-
cerning the towne s foundation, to which (sayth
the story) Havelocke, the Danish Prince, after-
wards granted many immunities."*

He goes on to observe that **this famous
tradition, which learned Mr. Camden gives so
little credit to, under favour of so learned an
antiquary, I do not think it deserves utterly to be
exploded for false and fabulous," and gives as his
reasons; — ist, **The etomology of the word by,
signifying, in the Danish tongue, habitation, or
dwelling, and instances OrmesJDy, from Orme, and
Ketelsby, from Ketell, two Danish captains
under Canute in the days of King Ethelred ;
which Captain Henry Skipwith (a valiant gentle-
man and judicious antiquary) affirmed unto me
that he could prove it, not only out of the Legend

* Holies folio MSS. No. 6829, in the Harleian Collection, British Museum.

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6 OLD GRIMSBY.

of Nun-Ormesby, but from other good and un-
questionable records.'*

2nd, '' That there was such a Prince as Have-
locke, in proof of which he quotes Robert of
Gloucester, who says : —

* Than Gunster, that fader of Haveloke,
King of Denmarke, was then of mycle mights,
Arrived so than in Inglond with his floke.'"

3rd, '* That Havelocke did reside sometymes
in Grimsby may be gathered from a great blew
boundary-stone, lying at the east ende of
Briggowgate, which retains the name of Have-
locke's Stone to this day."

4th, *' The great privileges and immunities
which Grimsby had in Denmarke, such as free-
dom from toll, above any other in England, which
privileges indicated, be believed, that some pre-
ceeding favour or good turn called on this
remuneration."

Lastly, (which proof I take to be instar omnium)
** the common seal of the Towne, and that a most
ancient one, which be considered could not be far
remote from Saxon tymes." This seal represented
a man of gigantic stature, brandishing a drawn
sword in his right hand, and bearing on his left
arm a circular target. The word ** Eryem " on

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THE OLD TOWN, 7

his right hand. A youth is portrayed with a
crown over his head, to denote his royal extraction,
and close to the figure the word ** Habloc." On
the left hand of Grime stands a female figure,
crowned with a royal diadem, clothed in a long
vestment, and holding a sceptre in her left hand.
There is an inscription round her which shows
that she was Goldeburgh, the princess whom
Haveloc is said to have married. The legend is,
" Sigillum Communitatis Grimsby ^ This legend
as well as the names are in the Saxon character,
which, says Dr. Oliver, '* leads us to the obvious
conclusion that the seal was cut and used by the
town of Grimsby before the Danes succeeded in
establishing their dominion in Britain, and most
probably was granted by the Anglo-Saxon
government, during the life time of Gryme, with
other privileges which contributed to restore the
port to opulence and respectability, after it had
been deserted by its primitive inhabitants, on the
first invasion of Lindsay by the Danes.*

Holies, while believing that the founder's name
was Grime, ventures to name a third, neither
fisherman nor merchant who ** shall be the man,"
namely, Grimess, a man of great stature, mention-

* Oliver's Hist., p. 14.

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8 OLD GRIMSBY.

ed in the chronicle of Isaac Pontanus, and said to
have been **a pyrate about the time of Trotho,
King of Denmarke, while Grimess, attempting to
marry a royal princess, was slayn in single
combate by Haldanues, a Danish prince."
Haldanues, he conjectures, may have been mis-
take for Havelock, and concludes by saying,
** he that is not satisfied with this (account) let
him repayre to Dicke Jackson's famous
manuscript concerning this matter, where he
shall find a great deale more to as little (if not
lesse) purpose."

Leland's account of these traditions is as
follows: — "Sum say that in ConstantineV King
of Briton's time, that Ethelbright and- Edelsey
were small Kings under him, whereof the first was
King of Norfolk and Southfolk, and the other of
Lindesay. And these two Kinglettes encreased,
and Ethelbright toke to wife Orwenne, the sister
of Edelsey, of whom he got a doughter, caullid
Argentile in Brutisch, and Goldesburg in Saxon.
And this Gouldesburgh was after left with her
uncle Edesley on this condition, that he that in
Feates of Chevalry .might be found most
noble, that he should have his doughter.
And she was after married to one Havelok,

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THE OLD TOWN. 9

that was son to a King of Dennemarke,
but conveyed by slaite into England, and after
the treuth known, was restored in Dennemak as
trew Heire.

** One Cuaran, sun to Grime, a strong and
mighty young Felow, came to Edelsey's Court
unto Lindsey, and ther was first a turner of
broches yn the keychyn, and after, by valient
deades, rose to a greate name. Gryme had
Havelock (by commandmont of the King of
Dennemark's Stuard) to be drownid ; but having
pite on hym, conveyid hym to a place, syns
cauUid of his name Grimsby. But this historye
ys corectid of sum but as an Acopriphe. And
sum say that Sweyn of Dennemarke, father
to King Knut, first attempted Lindseey by
the first cumming thether, and marriage of
Haveloc."'^

Peter Langtoft expressed his opinion of the
legends as follows : —

" Bot I haf grete ferly, that I fynd no man.
That has written in story, how Havelock this lond wan.
Neither Gildas, no Bede, no Henry of Huntynton,
No William of Malmesbiri, no Pers of Brydlynton
Writes not in their Bokes of no Kyng Athelwold,
Ne Goldenburgh his doutere, ne Havelock not of told,

* Collectaneer, Vol. 2., p. 511.

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10 OLD GRIMSBY.

Whilk tyme the were Kynges long or now late,
Ther mak no menyng when, no in what date,
But that wise lowed men upon Inglish tellis,
Right story can me not ken the certeynte what spellis.
Men sais in Lyncoln castelle ligges zit a stone
That Havelok hast wele forbl euerilkone.
And zit the chapelle standes where he wedded his wife,
Goldenburgh the Kynge*s douhter, that saw is zit rife.
And of Gryme a fisshere, men redes zit in ryme.
That he bigged Grymesby, Gryme that ilk tyme.
Of all stories of honoure, that I haf porgh souht,
I fynd that no compiloure of him tellis ought."*

The author '* Murray's Hand Book of
Lincolnshire," a work written with great care and
abiHty, says : — ** The name is clearly derived from
a common Danish name, Grim, or Grimir, The
interesting seal of the borough, apparently of the
fourteenth century, refers to the curious legend of
Grim, which is told with some variations in the
Anglo-Saxon poem of Havlok, the Dane, and
other authorities. Grim, a fisherman, rescued
Havlok (the * sea- waif) from drowning, who
proved to be the son of a powerful Danish chief,
and eventually made him lord of a port with many
Danish privileges. The origin of the town was
certainly Danish, the nearest Roman and British
settlements having been a little further inland.

* Chron. p. , 25.

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THE OLD TOWN. ii

There are some British mounds with * blow-wells '
near them on the west side of the town. The
port soon rose in consequence, and Peter de
Langtoft, the Rhyming Chronicler, speaks of it as
the frontier town of Ecgberht's dominions : — * All
the wide land from Dover to Grimsby/"

Who the ** Dickie Jackson," mentioned by
Holies, was, we have not been able to ascertain,
nor do we know of any other source of information
accessible to the reader, bearing on the subject,
who we fear has already read more than sufficient.
Let him not think, however, that researches into
the origin of names of places is an altogether
profitless one.

We have dwelt at considerable length upon this
question of the origin of the name of our old
town, from the fact that none of the remains of
human doings on earth are more durable, and few
are more instructive than the names borne by the
chief features of a country — its mountains, rivers,
valleys, creeks, etc., next to which for tenacious-
ness of life may be set the names of early settle-
ments, towns, and castles. We derive from local
names a four-fold service : — philogical, geo-
graphical, ethnological, and historical. They are
shrines preserving precious relics of ancient

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12 OLD GRIMSBY.

tongues, no longer, or but imperfectly known, and
aid us in tracing the nature and family relation of
these tongues. They assist us in judging of the
fauna and flora of the neighbourhood, and of the
changes which have taken place since the names
were given.

To the topographer, names are something like
what fossil shells and bones of past geological
periods are to the geologist, or palxontologist,
when judging of the relation of existing species to
those which, unmeasured ages ago, waded through
our marshes, winged their way through the air,
or roamed our forests. Their form indeed may
have been more liable to change, but they are,
notwithstanding, a record almost as indestructable.
** The language they once belonged to may have
altogether vanished, except the words themselves,
the busy multitudes who spoke them have been
long forgotten, and no other memorial of their
existence remains, but these, well-chosen epitaphs
remain, affording to the modern student a clue at
once to the speech and the race, the migrations
and the era of those who used them." From
breezy mountain tops, from streams and fountains,
from ruins of once majestic temples, and more
majestic cities, the spirit of a forgotten race

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THE OLD TOWN. 13

speaks to us of this present time, and tells us who,
and what sort of people, first called these
mountains, rivers, and cities their own, and gave
them names corresponding to their nature, as
Adam is said to have done to the creatures of a
new creation.*

* See " Pedigree of the English People," p. 401-2.

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Britieb an& 1?oman Zimce.

IT is generally accepted by antiquaries that
this neighbourhood was inhabited by the
early Britons, evidences of which have been
adduced from the existence of antiquities which
have been discovered within the boundaries of
the borough.

The burning of the bodies of the dead, a
custom practiced by our remote ancestors, led to
their ashes being deposited in rude sepulchral
urns, which were placed in the ground mouth
downwards, along, occasionally with the horse of
the deceased, as well as his jewels, and other
embellishments, which were carefully grouped
around it, and a high mound was erected over the
spot as a monument in honour of the dead.
When the tumulus, or barrow was raised to the
proposed degree of elevation, the surface was
usually covered with a stratum of chalk or flints,
about six inches thick, to distinguish it from the
surrounding herbage.

Mounds also were formed from the Druidical

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 15

altars, which consisted of earth and stones.
These can only be distinguished from the tumuli
by excavation.

A sufficient number of these remains have been
found to warrant the conclusion that ** Grimsby
was very early peopled by the aborigines of this
island." **They consist of hills and tumuli; the
former placed in such situations as to answer the
purpose of defence. These were undoubtedly
the work of the Britons, for the Romans threw up
few sepulchral mounds except a few of enormous
size, after a great battle, while the Saxons and
Danes did not enjoy sufficient security to afford
them leisure to threw up such elevations as are
frequently found amidst extensive morasses in
different parts of our kingdom. '* If, therefore, we
find such mounds connected with tumuli, in the
neighbourhood of Grimsby, it may be safely
concluded that this was a British settlement.*'

Among these remains was Holme Hill, an
elevation situated between the mouths of two
havens, one of which ran at its foot, and once a
military station of the Ancient Britons. Both
havens have long since been filled up. It
received the name of *'Zr^/w," from its peculiar

* Oliver "Monumental Antiquities, p. 21."

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1 6 OLD GRIMSBY.

situation, the term according to Gough, in
Camden, meaning a verdant place surrounded
by water. Though fully a mile from high water
mark at present, it was once covered with the
tides of the H umber, and at that period nearly
the whole of the land covered by houses at the
present time, must have been submerged. There
is no question but that the hill is artificial, and
was thrown up for the purpose of defending the
country from an invading foe, and was well
adapted for the purpose as it commanded every
approach. The remains of a line of artificial
mounds were visible at the commencement of the
present century. There were three of them, and
are fully described by Oliver in his antiquities.
One of these hills has been obliterated by
buildings and another was destroyed by the
excavations which were necessary in the formation
of the old dock.

The Old Haven was defended by two forts
which stood about halfway between Holme Hill
and its estuary. They were erected on high
banks, thrown up on each side of the haven, and
served as marks for the shipping.

There was also Abbey Hill, which had a
colony of **the religious," on which the Abbey

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 17

of Wellow was built in later times. A building,
no doubt a Druidical temple, which consisted of a
circle of unhewn stones, with an elevated one in
in the centre, which represented the Deity, once
occupied this hill, for in digging for gravel at the
commencement of the present century some
labourers came across what proved to be evidences
of an interment of a nature distinct from the
mode of sepulture used by the Romans or any of
their successors, and corresponding minutely with
the method practiced by the early Britons. The
bones lay stretched at length in their proper
order, unattended by any remains of a coffin or
other covering except a number of large stones
very curiously piled round the body, which no
doubt accounted for the fact that the bones
remained undisturbed. The teeth were all in a
state of excellent preservation.

A third colony resided on Nuns Hills. These
consisted of three, named Chapel Hill, Spittal
Hill, and Mill Hill. They were at equal distances
and formed an equilateral triangle, a figure which
was symbolical of the Druid's Triad of the Deity.
These hills retained the names of Peaks when
Oliver composed his Antiquities.

The Chapel Hill, was without doubt used for

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i8 OLD GRIMSBY.

religious purposes by the Druids, for according to
Dr. James Gordon, the celebrated antiquary,
many of their inclosures were called chapels,
instances of which he gave in a letter to John
Aubrey.

On Spittal Hill, a House of the Hospitalers of
St. John of Jerusalem was erected, where
wanderers and pilgrims were entertained and
relieved. A portion of it is still standing.

Mill Hill was so designated from the use to
which it was assigned, for when Christianity super-
seded Druidism and its rites, every religious house
was obliged, according to a statute of St. Benedict,
to provide itself with a mill upon its own premises.

Sand Hill, denominated by Oliver *' The
Commercial Hill,'* because it had apparently been
thrown up for the use of those who engaged in
fishing and other maritime employments, was
situated adjoining the junction of the two havens.
From it, it is contended, proceeded the celebrated
Roman road made for military purposes, Via
Fossata, which connected the port of Grimsby
with Aqua Solis (Bath), thus forming a direct line
from the Humber to the Severn. It commenced at
the Bargate, which lay at the foot of Sand Hill,
whence it communicated with the Abbey and

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. i9

Holme Hills. From thence it proceeded to
Ludford and Lincoln, and then direct to
Leicester, and on to Corinium and Bath to
Ilchester, and ended at Moridunum, the site of a
military town (Seaton), thus connecting the
eastern, southern, and western parts of the
island.''^

The Ellyll Hills were only small, and contained
in all not more than three acres. They were
situated in a swamp, which was by no means
a pleasant spot to dwell in, but the naked and
painted Briton had little objection to bogs or
morasses : safety was his principal object, and he
certainly secured it here, for it was impossible for
an enemy however armed to traverse such an
impassable boundary as surrounded the dwellers
on this hill.

Toote Hill. The name of this stupendous
mound, according to King,t indicates its high
antiquity, and is a corruption of Teut or Mercury,
the principal deity of the ancient Britons. It also

♦ Antiquarian writers are divided in opinion as to whether this great
road ended at Grimsby or Saltfleet. The latter had no doubt a haven for
coasting vessels. The preponderance of evidence seems in feivour of
Grimsby, for Hollingshead speaks of the road as connecting the ** Severn
and the Humber," (description of Britain, c. 14.), and Grimsby certainly is
on the Humber, which can scarcely be said of Saltfleet.

t Muniro. Antiq., Vol. i., p. 293.

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20 OLD GRIMSBY.

signifies "a place of observation," and the hill was
undoubtedly used as a beacon, and also as a place
of judicature.

Between this hill and the next station
once stood a British village separated from
Cun Hu Hill by a deep fosse and double vallum,
which, in their primitive state must have been
impregnable.

Cun Hu Hill was without question a British
camp, strongly fortified on all sides by the height
of its vallum and the breadth of its fosse. Here
the inhabitants took refuge when warned from
Toote Hill of the approach of an enemy. The
name of this hill is purely British, Cun being a
a title of dignity prefixed to the names of many
British princes, as shown by Camden **in the
names of Cungretrix, Cuneglasus, Cuneda, and
Cunedagis, all of whom held sovereign sway in
Britain." '*Hu (pronounced Hee) was the
sovereign deity of this country. He was
esteemed as the father of mankind, and the ruler
of heaven and earth. Cun Hu implies the
sovereign Lord. Hu and his priests were termed
cunes. *

The Britons frequently built their towns in the

* Oliver, p. 72.

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 21

midst of marshes and fens or in a thick wood.
These towns consisted of **rude, circular huts,"
surrounded with loose stones, and having roofs
formed of boughs of trees, covered with turf
Herodian relates that the Britons not only
resided in fens but that they would 'run up to
their waist in mud without suffering any incon-
venience/ and Zyphiline says that they were so
inured to the climate that at any season of the
year if in danger they would take refuge in a
morass, and remain up to the neck an incredible
length of time without food.

Amid the bogs, mounds were thrown up.
They were frequently strengthened by a vallum
or ditch, according to the specimens exhibited in
Holme and Cun Hu Hills, which, says Oliver, ** I
conceive to have been two British military
stations, that afforded protection to the . town of
Grimsby from all assailants, whether the attack
were attempted by domestic enemies from the
interior of the country or by foreign foes from the
sea. Various unerring evidences still remain to
substantiate this conjecture, notwithstanding the
successive dilapations of the Roman, Saxon and
Norman invaders of our land."

But Mr. Oliver did not rely on conjectures

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22 OLD GRIMSBY.

alone, though his conjectures were '* founded
upon monumental remains of undoubted British
erection," to prove that Grimsby was the
residence of the Britons. He gave decisive
evidence in the fact that a British town once
existed in the secret recesses of Bradley Wood ;
unerring vestiges of which were in existence when
he wrote and are still. From that fact he states
the name Brad-Ley, which signifies an open and
inclosed space in the midst of a wood, was
derived.

When the Danes first invaded this part of the
country the Abus or H umber formed the
anchoring place for their vessels, and at Grimsby
Old Haven they found a commodious harbour
for shipping already formed. There is historical
evidence that the Danish invaders made this port
the centre of their incursions into the country,
affording as it did a suitable inlet to the whole of
the inland counties. Ingulphus states that they
usually landed their troops near Grimsby, and
Peter Langtoft in his Chronicles, p. 42., states
that the Danes under their King Swaine, **stroied
and wasted," both Lyndeseie and the city of
Lincoln. Rapin says that when the Danes first
descended upon this coast the inhabitants were so

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 23

alarmed that they fled into the interior of the
country to secure their lives and movable
property. The Britons before the Roman
invasion carried on an extensive trade in chalk
and lime, several dep6ts of which were established
here, and so famous was this town for its chalk
trade, that the lands on the opposite side of the
old haven were denominated Clea, from the
Celtic word Cleis, chalk, and the parish sub-
sequently formed including these lands, retains
the name to this day, and its suburbs are named
Cleethorpes and New Clee. It is a singular
corroboration of this fact that a pillar was discovered
at Zealand about 1674, which had been erected
while the Romans had possession of Briton, by a
Grimsby chalk merchant, named Secundus
Silvanus, in performance oT a vow for the pre-
servation of his merchandise, which reads : —
**Dese Nehalenniae, ob mercedes recte conservatas,
Secundus Silvanus, negotiator cretacius Brit-
annicianus, V.S.L.M/' **To the goddess
Nehalennia, for his goods well preserved,
Secundus Silvanus, a chalk merchant of Britain,
willingly performed his merited vow."

Macpherson in his '* Annals of Commerce," vol.
i., p. 391., states that the early Norwegian and

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24 OLD GRIMSBY.

Icelandic writers record that Grimsby was the
emporium of commerce for all the northern
nations long before the days of Gryme, and as
early as the times of the Saxons.

There are few traces of the Romans about
Grimsby. From Tacitus* we learn that at the
time of the Invasion the tides in this country
forced their way amidst hills and mountains, so as
absolutely to form bays and islands for several
miles inland. This was certainly the case at
Grimsby. ** The influx of waters brought by the
tide into the two havens, which were situated at
the east and west of modern Grimsby, over-
flowed the adjacent low lands, covering both the
east and west marshes, leaving only a portion in
the centre dry. This was used as pasture for
cattle. The waters after flowing about two miles
from their respective estuaries united at the
central flood gate, which was carefully fortified, as
it formed the only entrance into the place by land."
This was called The BaVy from which we have
Bargate.

The dwellings of the inhabitants at this period
were erected on islands or elevated places thrown
up for the purpose of securing safety against the

* Vit. Agric. lo.

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 25

high tides, which at certain seasons of the year
deluged the lower lands. There were seven of
these raised portions from which three lines of
artificial embankments extended across the
country, in different directions, and communication
with every part of the island was secured by
beacons, as they were designated. One was local
and communicated with a colony at Barrow,
which has been described by Dr. Stukeley ;
another with the Wolds, and another ran along
the sea coast ** and connected the station with the
south east extremity of Britain."

These beacons were occupied by men stationed
on them for the purpose of communication with
one another, and so complete was the system that
it has been stated that there did not exist a single
mound but others might be seen from its summit,
and so perfect was the arrangement as to astonish
Caesar himself, who stated (Caesar i. 5.), **that
intelligence was conveyed with wonderful celerity
from one to another, by shouting, so that in
twelve hours' time they would communicate an
event ^ through a tract of country 160 miles in
length." This system prevented the people being
taken by surprise or ambush. Stackhouse states
that an individual could not proceed twenty yards

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26 OLD GRIMSBY.

without being seen, and Dr. Oliver asserts that if
sentinels were placed on our seven hills, and on
those at Scartho, Bradley, and Aylesby, he
questioned whether it would be possible for a
person to proceed in any direction without being
discovered.

Dr. Oliver was the more confirmed in his
opinion that Grimsby was a station of con-
sequence amongst the Britons, from the superior
magnitude of its artificial hills. Silbury Hill in
Wiltshire, is mentioned by many authors as a
most wonderful specimen of British industry and
perseverance.* It measured, according to Sir
Richard Hoare, 2,027 feet in circumference at
the base, 120 feet in diameter at the top, 170 feet
in perpendicular height, 316 feet sloping height,
and covered upwards of five acres of land. Now
our hills are superior even to this magnificent
mould. Toote Hill measures upwards of 2,000
feet in circumference at the base, is 270 feet
sloping height, and 100 feet in perpendicular
height to the very summit of the mound, and
contains nearly 6 acres of land. The dimensions of
Cun Hu Hill are 450 feet long by 250 feet broad,

* Knight says it is the largest artiBcial mound in Europe. Pictorial
His. England, Vol i., p. 12.

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BRITISH AND ROMAN TIMES. 27

the sloping height 130 feet, and measures some-
what more than two acres. The three mounds at
EUyll contain together about three acres, each
being about 800 feet long by 600 feet broad ; the
perpendicular height not being more than six feet.
The hills at the Nunns, measure together about
eight acres. The Abbey Hill measures ten acres,
and is 2,600 feet in length by 1,600 in breadth,
and about 50 feet perpendicular. Sand Hill is
600 feet in length by 400 feet broad. But
Holme Hill was the most extraordinary monument
which Grimsby could boast. It was more than
2,000 feet long by 300 broad, 180 feet sloping
height, from the most elevated point, and contained
upwards of twelve acres of land. Here were seven
stations, of very superior magnitude, and it is
much to be doubted whether the same number of
artificial hills can be found in any part of England,
of equal dimensions, and situated, as these were,
in the immediate vicinity of each other.

The old Haven washed the base of Holm and
Abbey Hills, and terminated at the foot of
Sand Hill. No doubt the ancient town of
Grimsby, as inhabited by the Britons, com-
menced at Holme Hill, on which were
situated the dwellings of the principal people, for

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28 OLD GRIMSBY.

the chieftains always selected the most elevated
places for their peculiar residence. This hill was
therefore erected into a military station, as being
the best calculated for the warriors' abode, because
it commanded the harbour, and hence afforded
protection to what is now called the Abbey Hill,
which was occupied by the Druids and their
attendants. The Town then proceeded in the
direction of the haven, to the Bargate, Sand Hill,
and Ellyll, and continued throughout the present
parish of Little Coates ; for Toote Hill was
undoubtedly used as a conspicuous beacon, and
place of judgment for the whole colony ; and the
range of hills, which lies still further to the west,
will serve to convince us that this neighbourhood
was very abundantly peopled. There are several
smaller mounds scattered over the whole lordship,
which, as they are without names, and as their
uses are beyond the reach of tradition, were no
doubt tumuli.*

That this class of mounds were artificial has been
proved from the fact that in them have been found
relics of old British art, such as were worn by the
Britons, as well as rude utensils and weapons of war.

* See Oliver.

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Zbc Hnalo^Sayon period

THERE is indisputable evidence that during
the Roman occupation of our island the
number of the inhabitants rapidly increased, and
that in the practice of arms and the arts of life
they had greatly improved. The resistance they
offered, to the Jutes, Saxon, and Angles, is
evidence of this. The Jutes came over in 449,
and after twenty years of conflict, founded the
Kingdom of Kent. In a.d. 477, the /Frisians, or
old Saxons, made an incursion in three ships, and
after twenty years established the Kingdom of the
South Saxons or Sussex. Then in a.d. 495,
came Cedric in five ships, and after twenty-four
years fighting founded the Kingdom of the West
Saxons or Wessex. In a.d. 530, another horde
arrived, and founded the Kingdom of the East
Saxons or Essex. Ten years later the Angles^
under Ubba their chief, established themselves in
East Anglia, which included Suffolk and Norfolk,
and part of Lincolnshire. During these years
North Lincolnshire was apparently free from

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30 OLD GRIMSBY.

invaders, but in a.d. 549, Ida, with a tribe of
Angles, established a footing in the North of
England, and about a.d. 585 occurred the seventh
invasion, when the Angles succeeded in forming
the Kingdom of Mercia which embraced the
counties of Chester, Derby, Nottingham, and
North Lincolnshire, besides other counties.
These conquests they retained, and succeeded in
giving their name to the land of the Britons,
which from their time has been called England, a
term derived from Angli. The story of the
British youths exposed for sale in the Roman
forum, and Gregory's exclamation, ''non Angli
sed Angelij' "not Angles but Angels," is well
known.

From Csesar to Agricola a period of 135 years
elapsed before the Romans were victorious.
From Agricola to Maximinus 330 years transpired.
During this long period a stupendous change had
been effected in Britain. Military roads had been
constructed from one end of the island to the
other. Roman civilization and its attendant
advantages had been introduced, and the villas,
gardens, and walks of Rome had been reproduced.
Bridges and other works of public utility had been
made, and the rigid order and strict justice of

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THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD. 31

Roman municipal laws been to some extent
enforced. To set against these advantages was
the loss of independence and the heavy cost of
military occupation, the maintenance of an army
of 50,000 men, leading to a grinding taxation
which greatly impoverished the people.

The Romans finally retired from Britain in 436.
They were followed by the Picts and Scots, who
crossing the Solway, destroyed all before them,
causing the hunted natives to fly in despair, many
of whom perished of hunger in the caves and
woodlands, to which they had fled for shelter.
Driven to despair, Vortigern, their leader, appealed
to the Romans for help, and finding them power-
less to assist him, invited the Angles, whose
leaders, Hengist and Horsa, a couple of cheftians
who were on a piratical cruise in the English
Channel, landed in Kent about the year 470.
They soon afterwards treacherously turned upon
their British allies, and gradually established
themselves along the entire eastern seaboard to
Lincoln.

From 211, the year that the Roman Emperor
Severus died at York, to the accession of
Carausius in 286, history is almost silent respecting
the affairs of Britain. Richard of Cirencester, the

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32 OLD GRIMSBY.

famous chronicler, made only one entry, which
states that *' During these times the Roman
armies confined themselves within the walls, and
all the island enjoyed a profound peace." Nor did
they **make a solitude and call it peace," for
the bravery of the natives prevented them from so
.doing, and they had their reward, for during this
period they so improved the country that a
Roman orator declared it to be matchless ** as a
land so stored with corn, so flourishing in pasture,
so rich in variety of mines, ... on all its
coasts furnished with convenient harbours, and
universal in its circuit and extent," while
Eumenius panegerised it as '^ Britannia^
and happier than all other lands ; enriched
with the choicest blessings of heaven and earth."
Though this description was specially applicable
to the southern and midland provinces as far as
its rich valleys and pleasant pastures were con-
cerned, this part of the island contributed to and
shared in the general prosperity of the country,
for its naval supremacy rose to a height '* which it
only subsequently attained in the days of Alfred."*
It is impossible to learn what was the pro-
portion of the British population to the Roman,

"k Knight's Pic. His. Eng., Vol. I., p. 32.

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THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD. 33

and what the Gaulish or Teutonic element as
compared to the British. It was evidently a very
mixed population, of which we know but little.

For a century and a half thick darkness seemed
to overspread the history of our country. The
Anglo-Saxon writers record little but accounts of
battles and slaughters, and Macaulay, in his
History of England, states that Hengist and
Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena are mythical
persons whose very existence may be questioned,
and whose *' adventures must be classed with
those of Hercules and Romulus."

The Saxons soon made an impression upon the
customs and common life of the nation, and we
have amongst us to this day a remarkable
blending of Roman and Saxon remains. While
our January (from Janues), March (Mars), July
(Julius), August (Augustus), remind us of the
former ; our Wednesday (Woden), and Thursday
(Thor), remind us of the latter.

The period of Saxon supremacy in England
was one of incessant wars, and great suffering.
This part of the country, however, appears to have
been comparatively unaffected by the incessant
conflicts, and the inhabitants of Grimsby lived in
comparative seclusion, and consequently in peace.

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Zbc 2)ani6b perio2)«

IF the inhabitants of Grimsby enjoyed com-
parative quiet during thd Saxon Invasion
and supremacy, they possessed no such immunity
during that of the Danes. They were made to
feel the full force of the tempest of war and
rapine, which raged over our island during the
latter period, for the invaders made the H umber
one of their principal places for landing in this
county.

The first invasion of the eastern coast by the
Danes was in 866, and the conquest of North-
umbria and East Anglia was soon followed by
the submission of Mercia. The mouth of the
Humber was like an open gate to the Danes,
who landed apparently at Humberstone, and
ravaged Lincolnshire from end to end Several
of the churches near the coast such as Stow,
Scartho, and Tetney, still bear traces of fire in
the stones re-used in their re-building. ^

Our early historians all agree that in 870,

* Murray's Hand- Book, Lincolnshire.

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THE DANISH PERIOD. 35

Hubber, Ubber, or Ubbo, son of Lodbrok, King
of Denmark, landed at Humberstone, having
crossed from the Yorkshire coast. He wintered
with his brother Hengier at Thetford, and in the
spring they engaged and defeated Edmund, King
of East Anglia, and over-ran and annexed the
whole of the county. The ** Hubbards Hills " in
various parts of this neighbourhood are believed
to commemorate the powers of this redoubtable
warrior.

The name *' Humberstone," some writers
suppose, may be a corruption of Hubbastone, the
transition from the one to the other being
facilitated by the proximity of the great river.
Nor is it altogether impossible that Hunger Hill
at Aylesby, near to Humberstone and Grimsby,
is the corrupt rendering of Hinguar Hill.*

The mixed characters of the wild adventurers
who flocked to the standard of the Raven under
those lawless Vikings, is believed to account in
part for the various nationalities which apparently
took root in Lincolnshire under Danish auspices,
and of which so many memorials remain, as the
force led by these brothers, was composed of
Danes, Sweeds, Norwegians, and Russians,

* Lincolnshire and the Danes, p. 92.

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36 OLD GRIMSBY.

desperate adventurers ready to fight under any
sky or any flag, if but a bold leader offered them
the chance of victory.

The name *' Danes " was given by the Anglo-
Saxons to the Northmen, but they were not
exclusively natives of Denmark, their home was
the sea. The leaders of early expeditions
consisted largely of the younger sons of the
aristocracy, who were excluded by the law of
primogeniture from any share in the land, and
consequently engaged in roving expeditions, the
success of which led them to attempt permanent
conquests. The son of a king or chief who had a
maritime command was termed a Viking, and the
name has been applied generally to these fierce
captains, and also to their savage warriors whose
ravages so afflicted this country.

Such a Viking was Gryme, who speedily
followed in the wake of the first invaders. He
was a wild and successful rover, who, having been
banished for life, invaded the H umber with a fleet
of twenty vessels filled with Berserkers, who, on
landing, fought with extraordinary power and took
possession of Spurn. From thence Gryme came
to Grimsby, where he found ** the swamps in-
habited by a few families of the ancient population,

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THE DANISH PERIOD. 37

whose fishing coracles were moored in the creek
or haven which ran by the foot of an artificial hill,
afterwards called Holme Hill, where was a rough
pillar to represent their god, and a circle of stones
where the Abbey was subsequently built."

These subdued, Gryme built a few huts with
timber from Bradley Wood on a stream of fresh
water, which site was called Dane's gate. He
built also a tower of rough stones on Holme Hill
as a depository for the marine spoils he took from
the vessels he captured.

It is probable that Gryme took possession of
the port in the name of his own monarch, and
afterwards held it as the property of the Danish
Crown. He made it the centre of excursions into
the surrounding country, where his wild hordes
committed frightful ravages. They entered the
village of Tetney, and put the greater part of the
inhabitants to the sword, whose bodies were
buried in an open space in the centre of the
village. His success was an incentive for others
to follow in his wake, and • shortly crowds of
hungry fortune-seekers landed on our coasts.

Before the death of Canute, Lincolnshire was
colonized by the Danes. If the reader will place
side by side a map of Lincolnshire and a map of

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38 OLD GRIMSBY.

Denmark, he will see many names so much alike
that he might imagine the countries were the
same. Such names as Abye, Dalbye, Kirkbye,
Careleby, Holbeck, and Tofte on the map of
Denmark, with many others quite as familiar in
form and sound, will show him that the old
Vikings frequently made their way into England
across the German Ocean ''on what they called
their sea-horses," and ''found in the Humber
mouth an open gate to some of the richest
pastures in England."

There appears to have been three main streams
of these colonists into Lincolnshire, which have
been designated the Grimsby, Trent, and Alford
streams.'^ It is with the first that we have to do.

They landed here in large numbers at different
times, and spread into the neighbouring country
with great rapidity. Let the eye run over the
map from Grimsby to Brigg, and names ending
in "by," as Laceby, Riby, Keelby, Brocklesby,
Barnoldby, Bonby, Worlaby, Saxby, Ulceby,
will show how the invaders took possession of the
property of others or settled upon unclaimed lands
almost everywhere.

In 991, the Danes were bought off with 10,000

* Lincolnshire and the Danes, p. 8.

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THE DANISH PERIOD. 39

pounds of silver; three years later with i6,o<X):
In icxDi with 24,000, in 1007 with 36,000; and in
10 1 2 with 48,000. A pound of silver was worth
about three pounds of modern money, and would
have purchased eight oxen or fifty sheep.
During twenty years the people of this island
paid 134,000 as Danegelt, equal in value to
6,700,000 sheep or 1,072,000 oxen. The
ordinary price of a hide of land was about five
pounds of silver, so that the tribute alone was
equal to the fee simple of all the land of Norfolk
and Suffolk, or nearly one tenth of the whole
acreage of England. This culminated in the
terrible and treacherous massacre of the Danes,
which took place on the 13th November, 1002,
when men, women, and children were indiscrimin-
ately butchered. Then retribution followed.
The King of Denmark came with an immense
fleet, not for plunder or tribute, but for conquest.
His commands were to carry on a war of exter-
mination, to ravage the fields, burn the houses,
and put every male to the sword. The people,
divided among themselves, resisted in vain, and
in 1017, Canute the Dane was sole King of
England. His power was irresistible, and he used
it with great wisdom and moderation. He

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40 OLD GRIMSBY.

determined to govern his new kingdom with
justice,- and to observe the right in all things,
commanding all unto whom he entrusted the
government, as they wished to preserve his
good will and save their own souls to do no
injustice to poor or rich. ** Let," said he, ** those
who are noble, and those who are not, equally
obtain their rights, according to the laws, from
which no deviation shall be allowed, either from
fear of me, or for the purpose of enriching my
treasury. I want, no money raised by injustice."
He died in 1035.

Though there was doubtless a great disruption
of the existing order of things, yet the Danes did
not extirpate the inhabitants, but amalgamated
with them. Many owners and occupiers of the
land were compelled to retire, but that many
remained is proved by the fact that while the
Danes gave their names to numerous places,
others retained their old ones, as is seen in
Frodingharn, Bottesford, Immingham, Waltham,
Holton, Brigg, Caistor, Binbrook, and other
places.

The Danish place names of Chitourpe, Hecon-
ville, and Hantot, are reproduced by Cleethorpes,
Haconnby, and Huttoft. Conisby, the name bf

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THE DANISH PERIOD. 41

a Dutch chieftain ; Bonby, from Bondeloi, an
owner of land and stock ; Fotherby, from the old
Norse, food, fadder ; Goxhill, haller, a slope ;
Beelsby, o. n., Ojarg, a low range of hills ;
Coleby, o. n., Kollr ; Cleeness, Skegness, from
ness, a promontory ; Stather, from Stoir, a
harbour.

The name of Ulterby (d.b,, Iterbi), now extinct,
is found in ancient documents. It represented a
part of Clee now submerged, and would appear to
be identical in meaning with Utterby, denoting
**out station." Perhaps its name was taken from
its nearness to the sea.

Sixhil/s. Th.e name does not at all describe
the natural features of the neighbourhood, and it
is surmised that it is a corruption of a Norse name
as Sysla.

A part of Bradley Wood is known as Bradley
Glen, in which it is easy to recognise the old
Norse geire, a triangular piece of land. It lies
apart from the main wood, and still retains its
triangular shape.

Habrough, eight miles from Grimsby, which
may be rendered Hill-fort, is from old Norse
Huborg, the equivalent of Highbury. It does
not stand on any particular elevation, but it

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42 OLD GRIMSBY.

crowns the first slope of the wold, as it rises from
the sea marsh bordering the H umber.*

Finding as we do the words gates substituted
for street and road ; becks, for streams ; fitties
for meadows bordering on the sea ; stathers, for
landing-places ; when we hear of barfs, cars, and
nesses ; when we find lands are known as
sleights ; hills as hows and nabs ; fords as
wathes ; and fold- yard as stack-garth, we feel
sure that we are moving among scenes where
Scandinavians once lived and flourished.

The Danes were most immoderate drinkers,
and their example had a pernicious effect upon the
English. Indeed drinking became so common
that attempts at Temperance reformation had to
be made in those early times. Only one ale-
house was allowed for a village. Pin-drinking, as
it was called, was introduced. Tankards, with
pins or pegs fastened at given distances, were
used; and a law passed that ''whosoever should
drink beyond those marks at one draught should
be liable to a severe punishment." This does not
appear to have proved effectual, for a statute was
made *'that priests, monks, and friars, should not
drink to or at the pins."

* Lincolnshire and the Danes, p. 173.

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THE DANISH PERIOD. 43

If an Englishman presumed to drink in the
presence of a Dane, without first obtaining his
permission, he was considered to have offended
his conqueror, an insult so great that nothing but
instant death could expiate it. Indeed, the
English '*were so imtimidated, that they would
not venture to drink even when invited, until the
Danes had pledged their honour for their safety,'*
and so great was the danger incurred even after
the permission had been obtained, that the man
who pledged the drinker stood by, weapon in
hand, to protect him.

The successors of Gryme set an idol on Holme
Hill, named Sauntovile, which had four heads,
two looking into the sea and two westward into
the country. Around this idol they danced till
they were in a state of frenzy, when holding their
religious festivals.

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(Brimebi? after the donqueet.

WILLIAM the Conqueror, in the division
of his newly-acquired kingdom, gave
Grimsby to three of his followers, Drogo de
Benzere, Ralf de Mortimer, and his half-brother,
Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. The latter had a ferry
worth £^o a year. It was not long, however,
before Odo fell into disgrace, and his property
was confiscated, and soon afterwards the whole of
the town passed into the hands of the King, and
was let by him to Radulfus, the son of Drogo,
who held it as a fee farm rent. In 1158, Henry
II. seized it for arrears amounting to ;^i69, but
Radulfus' sons furnished the King with such a
number of hawks, that he ordered the debt to be
discharged.

We have but few records of what the town
was like at that time. Dr. Oliver states that
Domesday Book makes mention of two churches
in Grimesbi belonging to William de Perei and
Ralf de Mortimer, but no information is afforded
respecting their founders. The Rev. J. Wild

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GRIMSBY AFTER THE CONQUEST. 45

thinks it " extremely probable that the doctor
mixed up the account of Little Grimsby with that
of Great Grimsby." It is certain, however, that
in mo, but a short time after the Conquest,
there were two churches existing, St. Mary's and
St. James'.

The people of Lincolnshire embraced Chris-
tianity quite readily, and some of the very
earliest churches in the kingdom are found round
Grimsby and Caistor. About mo, the Abbey
of Wellow, Grimsby, was founded by Henry I.
for the Black Canons, and it was dedicated to St.
Augustine. It was situated on a conical hill, and
supplied with fresh water by a crystal spring
which gushed out from the side of the hill, over
which was erected the abbot's kitchen. The
stream produced by this spring was sufficient to
work a mill, which stood at the foot of the hill
eastward from the abbey, without the cemetery,
and at the entrance of the abbey-yard. The hill
contained about ten acres, on which stood a court
enclosed with a wall and ditch. There was also
a grange for the residence of the abbot, the
whole was occupied by gardens, orchards, and
offices belonging to the abbey.

The revenues of the monastery were considered

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46 OLD GRIMSBY.

ample, amounting to ;^I52 7s. 4d., a large sum
for those days. These were enjoyed until the
dissolution of the religious houses, when the
abbot and canons, influenced no doubt by Arch-
bishop Whitgift, **upon full deliberation, for
certain just and reasonable causes especially
moving them in their souls and consciences," did
** freely and of their own accord, surrender and
grant King Henry VIII., in the year 1539, this
house, with all its revenues, rights, and appurten-
ances whatsoever." The possessions thus relin-
quished amounted to more than seven hundred
acres of land, besides manors, tithes, advowsons,
mills, tenements, rights of common, and other
appurtenances. Six years afterwards Henry
granted, by letters patent, dated May 22nd, 1545,
the whole to Sir Thomas Heneage and the Lady
Katharine, his wife, and their heirs, male, for ever,
the whole of the above, in exchange for the
lordship and manor of Barton-upon-Humber ; to
hold all the premises of the said King and his
successors, in capite, by the service of a whole
knight s fee.

Only two seals of this monastery are known,
of which autotype illustrations are given in
" Lincolnshire Notes and Queries," vol. I.,

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GRIMSBY AFTER THE CONQUEST. 47

opposite page 65, from impressions in the collec-
tion of Mr. John Hopkin, of Grimsby.

Henry III. interested himself in its welfare, at
the same time taking care not to be a loser by
doing so, for on November 20th, 1239, ** The
bailiffs of Grimsby were commanded by that
monarch not to detain from the abbot of Grimsby
;^ii per annum which he had been accustomed
to receive as tythe of the farm of the town,
because the King demanded the tythe of the mill
of Kaldehall, which pertained to the manor of
Grimsby." It continued to experience varying
fortunes under different monarchs, until Henry
VIII. determined to abolish these establishments.

This abbey at Grimsby appears to have
deserved its fate if the charges made against its
officials were true, for in 1539, when the abbey
was surrendered to the King, the document con-
veying it to his Majesty commences : " I, Robert
(Whitgift), Abbot of the Monastery of Wellow
in Grimsby, knowing the misorder and evil of the
brethren, do freely, in the discharge of my con-
science, surrender, give, and grant, without any
enforcement, in consideration of the evil dis-
position of the brethren of the said Monastery,"
etc. Whatever may be thought of the abbot's

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48 OLD GRIMSBY.

conscience and the freeness of the surrender,
there is no doubt that the abbey was no longer
helpful to the cause of true piety, and was in bad
repute with the people owing to the scandalous
lives of its rulers, and their disputes among them-
selves. A commission had been appointed to
enquire into the truth of certain charges, when
the commissioners found that not only were the
lands *' improperly cultivated," and the buildings
fallen into decay, but that the conduct of the abbot
had been such as was ** utterly discreditable and
scandalous." They found that the charges of
having misappropriated an estate of 120 acres of
land called Sandhowe, and assigned it to a
French lady, his mistress, whom he kept in the
greatest magnificence ; of putting the canons
upon short commons, composed of eggs, with
bread, and water to wash it down, while he and
his lady fared every day on fish, flesh, and fowl,
and drank the richest wines, were fully proved.
He was deposed from his office, and John de
Thorpe appointed his successor.

There was also a nunnery in Grimsby, called

ST. Leonard's nunnery.
This building *'was situated," says Oliver, **on a

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GRIMSBY AFTER THE CONQUEST. 49

pleasant and healthy eminence, (?) which still
retains its name, at the junction of two principal
roads leading into the town. It was surrounded
by corn-fields ; had gardens and orchards in front,
and was supplied with fresh water by a pure rill,
constantly flowing from the fields."

The date of its foundation is uncertain. That
it was established prior to 1185 is proved by a
bull of Pope Lucius II., dated from Verona, a.d.
1 185. It was also mentioned still earlier in a
bull, directed to the abbots of Thornton and
Newsham, issued by Pope Alexander III. (1159-
1181), who had a controversey with Henry II.
respecting Thomas k Becket, who opposed the
Kings efforts to establish the supremacy of the
State over Church and clergy.

The nunnery could not have been very large,
as it only contained a prioress and seven nuns.
It was endowed with the patronage of Little
Coates Church, in the 6th Edward I. (1278),
which became appropriate in the 6th Edward II.
(131 3), and the bailiffs of Grimsby paid annually
to the prioress 8s. 8d. The annual revenues,
according to Dugdale, were £<^ 14s. 7d., but
Leland makes them ;f^io, while Speed puts them
at ;^i2 3s. 7d.

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so OLD GRIMSBY.

It was destroyed by fire in the thirteenth
century, and was re-built by the celebrated
Bishop of Lincoln, Robert Grosteste, and Sir
Thoma^ Hasterton, of Aylesby, the latter of
whom was buried in its cemetery, and to whose
memory a highly - decorated monument was
erected. It appears to have been destroyed a
second time by fire, for in a charter granted by
Henry IV,, we find the following: — **We are
fully informed by the report of many trustworthy
persons how a great part of the edifices of the
Nuns of the poor House of S. Leonard of
Grymesby in the County of Lincoln has lately
been miserably burnt up by the sudden occur-
rence of a furious fire, and lies devastated, and that
divers lands and possessions of the said Nuns of
no small yearly value, through the raging of the
sea and the inundations of other great waters,
have come to be desolate and worthless, to the
grievous detriment and manifest deterioration of
the site. From the lamentable address of the
Prioress and Nuns of the said house, we have
learnt that they are from the aforesaid cause by
no means sufficient to re-build the said edifices,
and support the other burdens incumbent on the
same house, unless pious succour is given them

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GRIMSBY AFTER THE CONQUEST. 51

from other sources." The King '* piously com-
passionating their indigence " by his special grace,
"granted to a certain Nun of the said house"
procuratorial letters giving authority for her to
pass through any parts of the dioceses of York,
Lincoln, and Norwich, to collect gifts from the
** faithful," and requiring all ** Prelates and
Ecclesiastical persons, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs,
Constables, and others, our ministers," to " main-
tain, protect, and defend the said Nun," and
declaring that if any hindrance, damage, violence,
or inconvenience were offered her, it would be
duly corrected and reformed.

In Bishop Fordham's Register, Ely (fol. 207),
occurs the following relating to this subject : —
** 1408. May 27th. Forty days* Indulgence
granted to all giving assistance to the poor and
religious women, the Prioress and Nuns of S.
Leonard's Priory outside Grymesby, Lincolnshire,
whose houses and edifices and the goods contained
therein have been accidently burnt, non sua cuppa
sed korribili incendio jain noviter ingruente''

Another religious house was

THE HOSPITIUM, OR HOUSE OF HOSPITALERS, OF
ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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52 OLD GRIMSBY.

This building is said to have owed its origin to
the suggestion of King John, who, while on a
visit to the town, discovered that it was the
resort of many strangers who frequented its
marts for commercial purposes, and found but
scanty means for accommodation. The abbot of
Wellow, by whom the King was entertained,
undertook to erect a building. The site and the
house which stood upon it was given by Robert
de Bassingbourne, whose son Allan endowed it
after it was built by the abbot, assisted by the
merchants and gentlemen of the town. It stood
on one of the hills adjoining the nunnery, which
was known as Spittal Hill, without the Bar, by
the road leading to Laceby and the heart of the
county.

There are a few references to it as the Spital
House in the Corporation Records. In 1389,
1 2th Richard II., there is a reference to a grant
by John Wynde, of Boseworth, chaplain to Sir
Wm. Luscy, of Grimesby, subject on a rent pay-
able to the Fraternity of the Hospital of St.
John.

There is also a letter from Henry VIII.,
addressed **To oure trusty and welbiloved the
Maire of oure towne of Grymmesby and to the

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GRIMSBY AFTER THE CONQUEST. 53

Burgesses of the same," respecting William
Thomlynson, '*how that he hath of the graunts
of the late Maire and Burgesses their sufficient
letters undre the common seel of our said Spitle-
house . . . without the Barregates there and
procuratorie of the same for . . . (life) as by
his said letters which he shewed unto us, that you
now entende to expell and put the said William
out of the same w'out ... of cause reason-
able, contrary to the said graunte, right, and good
conscience. We, entending justice indifferently
to be ministered unto every o'' subgittes, wol that
ye permitte and suffre the said William peasibly
to enjoy the said house as he hertofore hath
according to his said graunte w'out any manner
of interrupcion to the contrary, unles that, ye
have any cause reasonable to be showed before
us and oure Counsaill why ye shulde interrupte
hym of the same ; and if ye any suche cause
have, then that ye certifie us and o"" Counsaill
therof to thentent that we, by thadvis of oure
said Counsaill, may so ordre the matier in eschew-
ing of us further suyte and vexaccion. And that
ye faille not thus to doo as ye tendre o' pleasure.
Geven undre o*^ signet, at o*^ Mano*" of Grene-
wich, the xiiijth day of Aprill. W. Atwater."

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54 OLD GRIMSBY.

**W. Atwater" succeeded Cardinal Wolsey as
Bishop of Lincoln in 15 14.

An old court book contains the following
memorandums : — ** That William Glasyner, then
Maire of Grimesby . . . and dyverse odir
Burges sold to Steven del See and to dyvers mo
iiij** esch trese growyng in the Spetyll Garthes of
Grimesby for iij" vj' viij*^ to the expenc* to be
made to our Sofiferane Lord our Kyng, and to
our gode Lord the Erelle of Westmorland, and to
his Cousell, for the grete necessite and wellefare
of the said town. Proviso Semper that as sone
as the forsaid townchippe may hafe godes in
comon for the town, thai schall spend and ware
on and for the said Spetyall House at dyvers
tymes 5 marcs (fo. 46b).

15th Charles L **Gervase Holies, esq., late
Mayor, delivers to Wm. Booth, now Mayor, the
Keys, Seal, and Mace, four statue books, the
next extent, one old book of Charters, four silver
crests, and the old ordinances * et terrar le Sipptle-
howse ' (Spittehouse)."

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Zlic ®10 Borouflb.

GRIMSBY is said to have been a Borough
by prescription as early as the seventh
century. We have not been able to find any
documentary proof that such was the case, but it
is clear from existing records that it was one
before the Norman Conquest, for at that time it
was held as a Borough of the Crown at a fee
farm rent. Twenty-two new boroughs were
created by Edward, Mary added fourteen to the
number, and Elizabeth during her reign made
sixty-two.

THE MAYOR.

The election took place on the Tuesday next
ensuing the exaltation of Holy Cross. The
method was by placing the names of two alder-
men on the Lete or Leet by the Council, atid the
freemen voted for which one of them they
thought proper, the votes were taken in the
transept of St. James* Church. In the event of
the voting being equal, the coroners were entitled

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56 , OLD GRIMSBY.

to give the casting vote. When this method was
adopted the records do not say, but the custom
continued until the passing of the Municipal
Reform Bill.

The Corporation ordinances empowered and
called upon the Mayor to regulate the trade of
the town and its morals. He was to search out
offenders against the King's laws, and prevent or
punish offenders without partiality. He had no
power, however, to inflict personal chastisement,
which was the sole prerogative of the County
magistrates, but he could levy fines, one of the
profits of which .were assigned to himself
** These fines were sometimes heavy; under 39
Elizabeth, Sir William St. Poll, Knight, was
fined ;^40 for not appearing to take upon him the
office of Mayor when elected and Alderman Booth
was fined ;^20, for his ** contempt against this
Court for not going to church according to
custom, after he was placed upon the Lite."

James H., granted on September 15th, 1688,
letters patent, making the Mayor and Burgesses
of Grimsby a corporate body, with Recorder,
Aldermen, Coroners, Common Councilmen,
Bailiffs, Common Clerk, and bestowing various
privileges upon them. These letters are on

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THE OLD BOROUGH. 57

three skins, with part of the Great Seal of Green
Wax, and is among the Corporation Records.

It appears that *' Mayor Choosing " was not
perfectly unanimous in those days, nor did the
choice always give entire satisfaction to all the
burgesses. One of them was charged with say-
ing in the Common Hall ** wordes unseemlye and
verye thretnelye," while another ** manifestly e
seyde before Mr. Mayor and his brethren he
prayed God that the puttying in of Mr.
Empyngham into the Hall, and the stoute
doynges, were not a further troble unto the
town." (Dec. 2, 1564).

The Mayor and bailiffs as lords of the manor,
held a court leet and view of Frank- Pledge, and
a court baron for Grimsby, twice a year, and
similar courts were also held by them at Clee, as
lords of the manor there.

The Mayor held his court at pleasure, but was
obliged to give a personal notice to every burgess,
by his Serjeant, on the preceding Sunday. Every
burgess was bound by his oath *' to come to the
mayor's summons when lawfully required, and not
to absent himself without a cause reasonable to
the mayor notified." Delinquents were liable to
be fined 4d., and the fine was frequently enforced.

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S8 OLD GRIMSBY.

In the reign of Elizabeth the fine was made i2d.
for a burgess, and 2od. for an alderman. The
Corporation records show that these full courts
were not summoned very frequently.

The Recorder, or his deputy, presided at the
Quarter Sessions of the Borough, and the justices
met weekly for the despatch of business. The
Mayor possessed the power of holding another
court, for trying actions of debt, and breaches
of the peace. The bailiffs were also empowered
to hold a similar court every Friday, for the
determination of actions brought against any
inhabitant of Grimsby who was not a freeman.

As early as 1553 or 1554 proceedings were
taken against Robert Wright, " burgess of
Grimsby," at the suit of John Watson for
** slanderously misreporting and calling the sayd
John villayn and knave in Great Grimsby in the
churchy

The Mayor was annually elected by the votes
of the burgesses. They were summoned by the
ringing of the Moot-bell, to attend when the
Mayor presided over a full court, or what was
known as a ** Court Leet or Baron.'' A passing
bell was tolled when a Mayor went out of office,
to denote his municipal death. The ringing of a

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THE OLD BOROUGH. 59

bell at nine in the morning announced the com-
mencement of business, and the knell of the curfew
at eight in the evening, marked its conclusion.

ALDERMEN.

When this office was first established in
Grimsby it is not easy to learn. Dr. Oliver could
not find any mention of this functionary earlier
than the reign of Henry VII., *' where power is
given to any aldermen who has passed the chair
to transact the ordinary business of the Corpora-
tion in the absence of the Mayor." I have
carefully gone through the Report of the Histori-
cal Manuscripts Commission on Grimsby, and the
earliest reference I can discover is in connection
with depositions taken at Louth, 5 Sep., 1581,
where among the witnesses is ** Robert Empring-
ham, gent, and alderman''

In the same report I find in connection with
Bury St. Edmunds, reference to an Alderman of
that place, as early as 3 Temp. Henry III. and
under 4 Henry III., I find a *' Geoffrey, son of
Robert, Aderman."

In the reign of James I., it was unanimously

* decreed *^ at a full Court, that hereafter there shall

be twelve aldermen, including Mayor, and no

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6o OLD GRIMSBY.

more, all of whom shall be resident, and dwell
within the limits of the borough ; and if one
shall happen to die, that then the said number of
twelve shall be made up out of the ancient and
fittest burgesses, within one month next after
their decease." It was also provided that if any
aldermen went out of the town to dwell, and
remained non-resident for the space of three
months, he should ** lose his place " and another
choosen out of the most ancient and fittest of the
burgesses. ** This to continue for ever, without
being revoked, frustrated, or disannulled''

The Old Town Hall was erected on an open
space at the angle formed by High Street and
Bethel, and was called the Hall-gate or Hall
Garth, being the Manor House, Moot-hall, or
Court of the Mayor and Burgesses. It was a
very plain and unpretentious building, being
constructed of a skeleton of beams fancifully
arranged, and the interstices filled in with lath
and plaster. It had a high-pitched roof thatched
with reeds, and a large gable projecting two feet
from the walls that they might not be injured by
the dropping of water from the canes. The
interior consisted of one chamber, besides a small
room as an archive for the records and monu-

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1 w .;l,i.L

:a:iv

AST')R, i.f Kj ;^ ;^^^^

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THE OLD BOROUGH. 6i

ments. There were shops underneath this
chamber. The place was so small that on occasions
when the burgesses came in considerable numbers
they usually adjourned to the transept of the
church, which was close by.

THE FREEMEN.

From the earliest records we find that there
has been from time immemorial a division
among the people of this country, namely,
franklins and villeins. During the Roman
invasion the original inhabitants were in most
parts of the country reduced to a condition of
servitude. Under the Saxons we find Thanes,
and Ceorls, the owners and cultivators of
land, who had certain rights as to land and
other property, without, however, any share in
the government of the country. Ceorls, says
Hallam, were almost identical with the villeins,
who were obliged to remain upon the estate of
their lord, who could reclaim his person if he
ventured to stray, by suit in a court of justice.
Very early in English history, these however,
were denominated serfs.

Rodger de Hoveden, in his collection of the
Laws of William the Conqueror, gives what has

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62 OLD GRIMSBY.

been called that Monarch's Magna Charta, which
secured certain privileges to the lowest of the
people. Notwithstanding this, however, these
privileges were largely confined to the residents.
The ** foreigner " was subjected to numerous
disqualifications. He was debarred from en-
gaging in trade. Witness the following ordinances
made in the reign of Henry VII. ** No foreigner
shall bring provisions of any kind into this town
to sell, but upon the market-days ; nor shall a
foreigner at the public fair on St. Bartholomew's
Day, keep any shop for the sale of such provisions
under a penalty of 1 2d. ; and no landowner shall
let any shop or tenement to a foreigner for the
said purpose, upon pain of forfeiting 1 5d. to the
Mayor and burgesses ; nor shall any householder
expose in his window such provisions for sale
belonging to a foreigner under a fine of iid. for
each offence."

Even on the market-day the "foreigner'* was
charged double tolls. He could not cross the
H umber by the common ferry without being
charged a double fare. If they broke the King's
peace, did ^^ give any burgess rebukeful words, or
do anything against the articles of this ordinance
made, or against the statutes of Mr. Mayor's pro-

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THE OLD BOROUGH. 63

clamation ; any Alderman, who was formerly mayor
of this burgh, if a mayor be not present, shall put
such transgressor in prison^ or take sufficient
security to answer the offence at the next court."

The term ** foreigner " was appHed to anyone not
residing within the precincts of the borough.
An inhabitant of Wellow, who lived beyond the
Blue Stone, though a freeman by right, was
excluded from the franchise, even while paying
scot and lot to the parish of Grimsby of which it
formed a constituent part.

In 17 1 2, a full court of Freemen was held to
discuss the question of those who did not reside
permanently in the town, enjoying the privilege
of freedomship. It was resolved that ** whereas
several freemen, who have left the borough,
have recently been in the habit of returning three
months before such election, and after having
voted, again leave the town, to the prejudice of
such freemen as pay scot and lot ; therefore it is
ordered that no freemen, whether living in
Wellow-gate, or elsewhere, shall, for the future,
be admitted to his freedom, or vote at any
election, unless he shall have been resident in
Grimsby, and paid his scot and lot twelve months
before such election."

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64 OLD GRIMSBY.

The hamlet of Wellow was no part of the
borough, and its inhabitants had no vote or any-
other municipal privilege unless they possessed
property in the borough.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century,
many of the old families began to disappear.
Those who had seats in the country, took up
their permanent abode in them, while the
merchants removed to Hull, which was now a
flourishing port. Tradesmen, too, sought a
living in other places, so that by the end of the
century Grimsby was almost deserted.

CHARTERS.

On June 20th, 1227, Henry HI. granted by
charter to the men of Grimsby, the town and
liberties, subject to a fee-farm rent of iii/;
saving the King's purprestures and rents, if any.
The same monarch. May 27th, 1256, granted a
charter conforming the grant of the town, with
purprestures, and reducting the fee-farm rent to
50/, but reserving to the King the advowsons of
the churches of Grimsby and Scartho.

On June 4th, 1319, Edward H. granted to the
men of Grimsby the return of the King's writs,
immunity from being impleeded without the

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THE OLD BOROUGH. 65

borough for matters arising therein, and from
toll, murage, etc., and extending the two yearly
fairs. The provisions of the Charter and suc-
ceeding ones are remarkable, as immunity was
granted against Minage^ a duty paid on corn sold
by measure. Pavage, or payments towards the
repair of the streets and highways. Pontage^ a
tax collected by the Sheriff for keeping all bridges
in the county in repair. Stallage, a toll for
pitching or erecting stalls in fairs and markets.
Lastage, a toll to which the owners of markets and
fairs for sale of goods at such markets or fairs.
Hausage, exemption from duties in seaports for
fastening the cable of a ship. Anchorage^ without
which duty no person could drop an anchor on
the Kings ground. Terrage, duty for digging
and breaking up earth to set up stalls in fairs and
markets. Keyage^ the toll paid for loading or
unloading merchandise at a quay or wharfe.
Passage, hire paid for being conveyed over sea or
river by ferry boats.

These numerous and valuable immunities
extended over the entire kingdom and dominion
of England, ** except our city of Westminster."

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Itbc ®I& Cburcb*

THIS IS a very ancient structure, the date of
its erection being uncertain. Formerly
Grimsby had two churches, St. Marys and St.
James'. The former had a priest assigned to it,
which the latter had not as it belonged evidently
to some religious house probably the Abbey of
Wellow.

A respected alderman who has made the old
church of St. James and its history a special study,
for nearly half-a-century, has furnished us with the
following account which we give with but little
alteration or abridgment.

From its appearance it would seem to have
been built piecemeal, and at first without
clerestory. Its form was that of a huge cross
laid on the ground. At some early date two
bays on each side of the then chancel were taken
down and placed sideways, eastward, in the
transepts. The west arches and clerestory of
transepts are the work of a more recent date,
and later still the tower was inserted, which

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THE OLD CHURCH. 67

accounts for the want of finish of the different
arches adjoining it. Unfortunately the foundation
of the south-east column is not good, owing to
interments too near it. It has given outward
some eight inches, and caused the tower to lean
at the summit full fourteen inches. The tower
used to be a distinctive landmark to mariners, and
had probably a lantern on the top of it.

From the nave a descent of two steps led at
one time into the well (humility), and again a rise
of three steps (contrition), on the first landing of
the chancel, after this another step (faith), and
again one to kneel on (atonement)."

During the restoration carried on by Canon
Ainsley part of the steps leading to the rood loft
were discovered.

Hazeltine's monument is shown in old prints to
be on the west side of the font. On the north
aisle would be the position of the side altar, back
unto the wall of transepts nearly over where
the heating apparatus cellar is. The unfinished
capital of half column at the west signifies the
continuance of the gospel of Christ Church
Militant.

The baptistry would be on the south side of
the west entrance on a raised platform ; there are

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68 OLD GRIMSBY.

tokens of a recess in the south-west corner,
perhaps used for the doffing and donning of
infants brought for baptism, as also for that of
registration and fees. Just outside the south-west
corner was found the base of a pedestal for the
sundial ; on the north of the west entrance was
another raised platform not so high, for the
catechumen. In the north-west corner would be
the sanctuary. The original porch extended
some ten feet further into the churchyard,
thus the front of the present one is in a line
with the outside wall of the former building.
The north side would extend in like proportion ;
the porch was considered the least sacred place and
in them disputes were settled, secular business
transacted, and then ratified at or by the Cross.

Some small portions of the old aisles are still
remaining. At the rebuilding of the rest the
material was brought from the ruins of St. Mary's
Church, the sills of the lower west windows
appear to have been there at that time, hence
perhaps, the design of the others so sadly out of
character, there would be four lower windows at
the west end, two outer ones somewhat smaller in
size, and I should say the west end showed three
gables.

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THE OLD CHURCH. 69

There are evidences of the Lady Chapel at the
east end of the chancel extending to within a few
feet of the boundary, the east window would be
the same height as the present west window, but
there was also a south light of narrow, but deeper
dimensions ; giving on a clear mid-day a marked
halo to the altar, and if of stained glass a chaladro
hue of rainbow colours.

The chancel, so far as the sanctum sactorum
section extended, was a stone vaulted roof, of lower
pitch outside, denoting the head of our dying
Saviour on the Cross. The line of the chancel
runs bearing to the south, thus in facing the
nave, representing our Saviour s head on the failing
of the heart's action inclining to the left.

The north-east chantry chapel had a groined
stone roof of superior workmanship and design
springing from the outer walls and converging to a
centre at which point it was supported by a stout
round pillar, it is thought there were two chapels
on the south-east, probably vestries.

There are traces of a second and intermediate
row of columns in the aisles, those on the south
marking off the cloisters, those on the north the
private chapels or shrines.

The supposed squint in the chancel was

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70 OLD GRIMSBY.

restored. Why ? Some think they were used
to communicate with lepers or other infectious
persons, others for the Aycolites to know at what
part of the service to bring in the incense ; most
likely the latter was the prevailing thought. A
Low Church architect might have said it was
common in this part of the chancel to have a
receptical for the priest's robes.

The north aisle has been very much excavated
for a resting-place of the more noted dead.
Historians tell us it was full of monuments.
This unreasonable kind of fancy or pride will
account for the columns on that side being so
seriously out of plumb, and which would be
not very safe if without the support of the outside
walls.

It should be understood that in olden times
there were no pews, only a few stalls. The
congregation had to stand during the long
sermons, or bring their seats with them.
According to an old print they formed themselves
into the shape of a V. At this date worshippers
did not always stay the whole of the service, but
came and retired as suited them.

The vaulting within the church is a very bad
practice, but the wet ground around made bad

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THE OLD CHURCH. 71

worse, sapping the foundations, and very much
assisting the decay of the fabric, indeed some
seventy years ago the burial ground had very
little depth from the surface water until Bransby
Harrison, Esq., then churchwarden, to his great
credit, laid a drain from it down Wellowgate4

An old plan of Grimsby shows that the west
entrance of the churchyard was by and through
the Dean's grounds, named Boys' Lane and
Deansgate. It is also to be noticed that part of
the consecrated ground now built upon was used
as a garden. Tradition has it the Archdeacon
said to the clerk, ** How is it when I pay my
visitation I find oats growing in the churchyard.'*"
*' Yes, Dean," replied the clerk, *' I tels parson
he ought to set taters sometimes."

Such were the encroachments on the church
land that the Corporation planted lime trees on
the east side to prevent further sacrilege. An
old deed in the possession of Mr. William
Marshall, saddler, shows his present premises
as abutting on High Street, and facing the
cathedral close. The parishioners preferred bury-
ing their dead on the south side of the graveyard,
hence the raising of the earth so much above the
base of the church. There is a prejudice against

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72 OLD GRIMSBY.

burying on the north side ; it was said darkness
came from that quarter. The north side is very
much above the level ; rubble and rubbish have
been spread on it instead of being carted away.
The Lay dead were buried facing the east, the
priesthood facing the west, so that at the resurec-
tion they may meet their flock. A portion of the
churchyard near the gate leading to Chantry Lane
was allotted for the burial of suicides and felons.

An old antiquarian friend says there was a
house in the churchyard ; another with less
profound knowledge says such never existed. If
Joseph Hall and William Douglas were living an
appeal might be made to them to decide, both old
men when I knew them, and Grimsby characters.
The former was very wise beyond his years, the
latter was a living chronologer and used to say he
could remember what had taken place one hundred
years before he was born. I must say, unlearned
as he was, he could give dates correctly of
occurrences long before his day. He told me he
came from a family who treasured a tradition of
events, anyway I found the plaster of an old-
fashioned house floor in the north-west corner.
It was the custom to build in some churchyards
a marriage or bride's house — a dwelling of living,

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THE OLD CHURCH 73

sleeping, kitchen, and entertaining rooms, all
furnished even to the linen for the bride's bed,
and here, for a time, a newly-married couple might
sojourn and entertain their relatives and friends.

Many still living can speak of the time when
the transepts of St. James' Church were par-
titioned from the nave and chancel, the bell
ringers exercising from the present floor. The
fire engine was kept there. A loft in the east
end of the nave, was erected by Mr. Richard
Joys. The singing gallery was at the west
end where Dr. Ne why's grandfather's famous
musical voice was heard, also Gregory Bust
Dawson's, the sweet singer of Israel, with the
clarionets, flutes, and bass fiddle. Mr. Worth
has now a pitch tube, very antiquated, thought to
have been used in St. James'. Some of us call to
mind the erection of the organ in that gallery then
a great wonder for Grimsby, and the opening
sermon by the Rev. Mr. Gedge, who said in his
discourse, *' My friends, do not let the organist
and choir have all the music to themselves, but
you sing to the glory of God, and the glory of
God will come down even to the finger ends of
those who may play on that beautiful instrument."

Some now living, sons of burgesses, were

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74 OLD GRIMSBY.

educated in the transepts, and a generation now
gone spoke of obtaining their learning in the
chantry chapel, which was taken down at the
beginning of this century, and the stone is built
on the east side of the north transept.

Speaking of the time when the Nave and
Aisles were boarded off, a funny circumstance
occurred. It seems a worthy pair went to St.
James' Church one Sunday morning to worship,
leaving a son at home to mind and keep the pot
boiling, in which was a sheep's head and some
short dumplings. As the sheep's head was
cooking so the mouth expanded, and he, looking
in, saw the dumplings bobbing into the cavity.
So fearing there would be none for his dinner,
went to call his father from the service, and after
repeated gestures to induce him to come home, to
settle the matter cried out, ** If you don't come
soon the sheep's head will swallow all the
dumplings." I need scarcely say from that time
he was known as ** Dumpling Johnny."

Benjamin Nuttal, alias '*Totty," used to tell a
tale that he took advantage of pasturing in the
churchyard by night. One morning he went to
fetch his horse for the early tide, when he saw
some resurrection men at work snatching a body.

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THE OLD CHURCH. 75

Nuttall was carter for the Pelham Steam Packet
Company.

When the Wesleyans contemplated building
the present George Street Chapel, the Rev.
James Loutit waited upon the Rev. Daniel De
Boudry, Curate-in-charge of St. James', and
accosted him as '' Brother." The parson said,
** I did not know that we were brethren." '* Oh,
yes," said Mr. Loutit, *' we are brethren in
Christ." '* Well, well," said the clergyman,
** then what is your business, brother." Mr.
Loutit replied, *' Our chapel has become too
small for us, the place is too straight ; we want to
enlarge our borders by building a more spacious
one, and my object is to ask you for a donation to
assist us to do so." " No, no," said Mr. De
Boudry. ** As brethren in Christ, let me say that
my church is too large, and your chapel too small,
send some of your people to me."

I have heard old men say that when they were
young the clergyman on certain Sundays, to
induce them to come to church and attend service,
gave them a pint of ale each, the White Hart
host supplying the drink.

I met an antiquarian gentleman in the church-
yard, who observed that in the bygone age he

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76 OLD GRIMSBY.

saw few tombstones signifying many years of
existence of the men. I replied it would be
strange if you did, for parliamentary elections
used to last for months, and all this time public
houses were known as open ones where the voters
were treated at the expense of the candidates, and
they ate beef fried in butter, and drank strong
ale, until, like the Chinaman's over-fed pig, they
bursted.

James Dixon Brown says one fine hot day he
was seeing after the stalls, when a carriage and
pair came up, and with orders for him, his men,
and some glass and tools to go to Ludbrough, and
repair the church windows, as the Rev. Mr.
Thorold expected the Rural Dean. Brown asked
the bystanders what was a Rural Dean ; they could
not tell him, when Thomas Bellamy joined them,
and he could not explain. The Rev. Gary
Marshall came up, and was asked to explain,
when he said, '' What, Thomas Bellamy, you a
preacher of the Gospel, and not know what a
Rural Dean is — he is the Bishop s eye, and sees
to repairs of the churches in his deanery, so that
nothing in that way may annoy the Bishop."

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Carli? Zrrat)c an& Commerce.

LET the reader now endeavour to form some
idea of what Grimsby looked like in these
ancient times. Entering the place from Laceby,
he would pass the Nunnery on the left, and soon
after reach Bargate, from which it is supposed
the town wall extended south and north. On his
right hand stood the noble Abbey of Wellow, and
on the left some mansions occupied by merchants
and others, while directly before him stood the
" cathedral like " Church of St. Mary's. Passing
through the bull-ring he came to the Market
place and Flottergate with a mansion or two in it,
and turning to the right proceeded down the one
street of the town, and after walking a short
distance came to St. Mary s Church surrounded
by a churchyard two acres in extent, the whole of
which is now covered with buildings. A few
yards further down the street and on the same
hand stood Clayton Hall, which has since been
pulled down, and a block of buildings named
Yarborough Terrace now occupies its site.

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78 OLD GRIMSBY.

Immediately opposite stood a fine row of trees
before which in our early days stood a town s
pump. A few straggling buildings might
probably have stood below the hall, and then he
would come to a narrow rivulet which ran into
the haven, long known, as it is still, as the River
Head. Here his progress would end for he had
reached the town boundary, and nothing lay
beyond, save a flat dreary marsh, stretching away
right and left and covered for several days in the
fortnight by the tides of the H umber.

South of the Abbey he would find a stream
which passing by Holme Hill emptied itself into an
old haven which long since disappeared. While
digging for a cellar near the Lincoln Arms, some
workmen came upon a number of very old piles,
seven feet from the surface, which it is believed
once formed the foundations of a landing stage.

At the river head he would find vessels loading
or unloading with corn, salt, lime, coals, or wine.
Further down he would find a staith in the East
Marsh, specially set apart for the Florentine
merchants and Easter levies, so called because
they were Hanseaatic merchants of the ** steel
yard" or merchants whose goods were sold
principally by weight. At this place only were

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H

O

H
<

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 79

they allowed to offer their goods for sale, subject
to the regulations specified in their charters.

The town was early known as an extensive
fishing port, and some of its earliest charters
contain regulations for this branch of business.
Indeed its only rival was Ravenser.

This rivalry with Ravenserodd as it was some-
times called, dates from a very early period. In
an ** Inquisition " taken in the third and fourth
years of Edward I. (1274-1276) the men of
Grimsby are stated to **say," '* that forty years
ago and more [that is, about or before 1235] by
the casting up of the sea, sand and stones
accumulated, on which accumulation William de
Fortibus, then Earl of Albemarl, began to build a
certain town which is called Ravenesodd ; and it
is an island, the sea surrounds it."

The '' men of Grimsby," also declared that the
people of Ravensodd, carried on forestalling to an
extent which injured their town and the
surrounding country to the amount of ;^ioo a
year. They also alleged '*That the men of the
said town of Ravenesodd," go out with their boats
(batelli), into the high sea, where there are ships
carrying merchandise, and intending to come to
Grimsby with their merchandise, the said men

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8o OLD GRIMSBY.

hinder those ships (from coming to Grimsby),
and lead them to Ravenes(er) by force, when
they cannot amicably persuade them to go
thither."

These reprefeentatous do not appear to have
led to any amicable settlement, for in 1290 the
inhabitants of Grimsby appealed to the King
alleging that great injury and wrong was being
daily done to them. On August ist of the same
year, the monarch issued a writ ordering an
inquiry to be made, and early in the following
September an inquisition was held at Grimsby.
The author of the ** Lost Towns of the Humber "
has given in that interesting volume the following
translation of both the writ and the inquisition,

"Edward, by the grace of God, king of England, Lord of
Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to his beloved and faithful
Gilbert de Thorneton and Robert de Schaddewrth, saluting.
Because we learn from the grave complaint of the mayor and
our burgesses of Grymesby that whereas ships with wines,
fishes, herrings, and other merchandise from various foreign
and home parts have been accustomed to harbour in the port
of that town and not elsewhere in those parts, and to sell those
goods and merchandise them, and to pay the customs thence
arising in part payment of the farm of that our town by the
hand of our bailiffs there, the bailiffs and men of Isabella de
Fortibus, Countess of Albemarl, of the town of Ravenserod
which she has caused to be built anew in a certain island within
the sea distant ten or twelve leagues (leucae) from the aforesaid

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 8i

town of Grymesby, have arrested for a long time with a strong
hand in the sea the ships with the goods contained in them,
which in this way have been accustomed so to harbour in our
port aforesaid, and with threatening and force have compelled,
and from day to day do compell them to turn aside to the
aforesaid new town and to remain there, and there to sell their
merchandise, so that these, our men, by such compulsion and
subtraction, are so impoverished that they are not able to pay
us the debt due to us for the farm of the aforesaid town, unless
such hips may be able to harbour at our port aforesaid without
hindrance of the said men of Ravenserod, as they were before
that town was founded. And they have been accustomed to
hold a certain market, which the said countess causes to be
proclaimed and held these without warrant. We, being
unwilling any longer to sustain such unrepaired injury so done
to us or our men aforesaid, but desiring to aid our said men if
they have been so oppressed with injustice, appoint you to
enquire, by the oath as well of knights as of other upright and
loyal men of the county of Lincoln, by whom the truth of this
matter may be better known, concerning the hindrances and
forestalling of ships aforesaid, whether these things have been
done to our injury or that of our men, or the depression of our
town of Grymesby aforesaid, and by whom, or by whose order
[these things have been done], and at what time, and by what
warrant, the aforesaid market has been proclaimed and held,
and to what amount our aforesaid town of Grymesby, by the
aforesaid cause, has been deteriorated . . . also the full
truth concerning all other circumstances done there, with the
contingences of every kind. And therefore we command you
that on a certain day which shall be appointed for this purpose,
you shall go to the aforesaid town of Grymesby, and make
inquisition there, and the same . . . make without delay
to be sent to us with this writ. We command also our Sheriff
of the county aforesaid that at a certain . . . he . .

6

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82 OLD GRIMSBY.

shall cause to come before you at Grymesby all and such as
well knights and other upright and loyal men . . by whom
the truth of the matter in the premises may be better known
and enquired. In testimony of which these letters . . we
have made patents. Witness by me at Leghton, the first day
of August in the i8th year of our reign."*

The report of the commissioners is as follows : —

" Inquisition taken at Grumsby on the Sabbath day next after
the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary [8th September] in the
1 8th year of the reign of king Edward, before Gilbert de
Thornton and Robert de Schadwrd, appointed by the king*s
writ to inquire concerning the hindrances and forestallings of
ships, which have been laden with various merchandise, and
which have been accustomed to come and harbour at Grumsby,
done by the men of Rawenserod, and concerning other
grievances and injuries done to the men of Grumsby by the
men of Raweneserod, by which the aforesaid town of Grumsby
has been much deteriorated ; by the jurors undernamed,
namely Robert de Roche well, Sayer Scawin, John de Hanley,
Robert de Thoresby, Robert de Abingdon Richard de Newhous,
Robert de Maundewile, William de St. Paul de Leysebey, Ralph,
Malet de Irby, Hugh de Brakenberg, John son of Roger de
Stalingburg, and Benedict de Leysebey, priest, who say on
their oath that in the time of King Henry, the father of the
present King, at first by the casting up of the sea, a certain
small island was born, which is called Rawenserod, which is
distant from the town of Grumsby by the space of one tide.
And at first fishermen dried their nets there, and a few men
begun to dwell and remain there, and afterwards ships laden
with various merchandise begun to discharge and sell their
merchandise there. And more than this, that the aforesaid

"^^ Chancery Inquisition, i8 Edward I., no. 145.

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 83

island is nearer the sea than the town of Grumsby. And
because ships can more easily harbour there than at Grumsby.
almost all ships stay, discharge and sell there. They say also
that Walter, son of Ralph de Seleby, William Brune, Peter de
Mari and Hugh de Cotes, together with certain other unknown
persons of the island of Rawenserod, according to their
custom, go out with their little boats to ships in the Humber
and in the sea laden with various merchandise, and conduct
the merchants and sailors to harbour at Rawenser, saying
that the burgesses of Grumsby, after their accustomed
naanner, cheapen the price of things sold there. And they [/>.,
the men of Ravenserod] say that a last of herrings is worth but
twenty shillings at Grumsby, where [in realty] it is worth forty
shillings. So that by words, offers and bids they detain them so
long a time that they cannot come to the chosen port of
Grumsby, so that by such fore-stalling the town of Grumsby,
in every year after the coronation of the present king, has been
impoverished to the amount of 100 marks. They say,
moreover that the men of the aforesaid town of Grumsby are
not able to pay their farm rent unless [ships] passing by
Rawenser may harbour at Grumsby without hindrance at
Rawenser — so that the aforesaid town is in part abandoned.
Asked during what period had men lived at Rawenserod, they
said that forty years ago a certain ship was cast away on
Rawenserod, where there was no house then built, which ship
a certairi person appropriated to himself, and from it made for
himself a cabin (scala sive casa) which he inhabited for some
time, that there he received ships and merchants and sold them
meat and drink, and afterwards others began to dwell there ;
and they say that 30 years ago there were no more than four
houses (mansiones) there. They say also that before the last
four years the men of Grumsby who bought fish and herrings
and other merchandise from fishermen and others coming with
their ships to Grumsby, did not at once pay the price, but

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84 OLD GRIMSBY.

reckoned wrongly with the aforesaid merchants, and cheapened
that price, and made the merchants stay there until they were
satisfied ; and this is another reason why ships do not harbour
at Grumsby, as they were accustomed to do. And on account
of this fact the town is deteriorated to the amount of 40
pounds. But they say truly that now they faithfully pay those
merchants the price agreed between them, and cheapen nothing
thereof, so that all merchants coming thither with their
merchandise are satisfied within three tides. And they say that
Isabella de Fortibus, countess of Albemarl, is lady of the
aforesaid island, and takes the profits thereof. And that the
men dwelling there, every day, at their own free will, buy and
sell fish and herrings and other victuals and other merchandise,
nor is there any fixed day to hold a market there. They say,
moreover, that the men of Rawenserod take toll, after the
manner of a borough, of ships and other merchandise coming
thither, as well of those of Grumsby as of other places, namely,
of every ship with a rudder laden with herrings, for each last of
herrings contained in the ship, 4d., and of every boat (batellus)
for each last of herrings, id. And of other ships and boats
laden with any other kind of merchandise . . toll .
they know not what nor how much. In witness whereof the
jurors of this inquisition have affixed their seal." *

The people of Grimsby were still unsatisfied,
for in little more than a year the case was tried
before the court of the King's Bench, when a
number of persons were *' attached to respond to
the pleading of the Mayor and commonality of
Grymesby, for what reasons they had violently
arrested, by various forces, various merchants, as

* Chancery Inquisition, 18 Edward I., no. 145.

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 85

well foreign as native, both in the sea and in
the H umber, with their ships and boats laden
with wines, fish, and various other merchandise,
directing their course towards Grymsby, and
wishing to harbour in that port, in order to deal
there . . . and had compelled them to go to
the town of Ravenserod and there to harbour to
remain and to sell their aforesaid merchandise,"
etc., etc. They were also charged ''that by
other irregular things, they impoverished the town
of Grymesby, and done trespass against the
kings peace." The result, however, was that
the men of Ravenserodd were acquitted and
allowed to pursue their calling unmolested until
1 32 1, when a royal letter was addressed to the
bailiffs of the place in which they were
** admonished," for having seized the crew and
cargo of a Scotch ship which had been driven
into their harbour " by the fury of the sea," and
ordering them to *' cause them to be liberated and
disarrested without delay."

The men of Grimsby had also to suffer from
the encroachments of the Earl of Chester who
"deliberately appropriated to his own use," a
large portion of land subject to rent to the
corporation, thus depriving the burgesses of their

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86 OLD GRIMSBY.

rights. Several minor encroachments also caused
them serious loss, and at length the Earl of
Albemarle, who was patron of Ravenserodd
freighted his ships at a staith at that place, which
was claimed by the Corporation of Grimsby, and
refused to pay the accustomed tolls and dues, and
**not content with thus anticipating their lawful
traffic, he even pressed his ships into Grimsby
haven, and exposed his merchandise for sale
without paying the customary tolls ; by which not
only did the corporation sustain a loss of ;^ioo
yearly, but it produced much confusion and blood
shedding."

The bailiffs also complained that the Mayor of
Lincoln, one William de Holgate, at the fair in
that city, unjustly demanded of the Grimsby
merchants, Horseford money, and Gtldewit, to
the value of ten marks and violation of the
Charter of liberties granted* by King John ; also
that in conjunction with the bailiffs of Nottingham
and Torksey, he had, for more than twenty years
past, taken tolls at their markets from the
burgesses of Grimsby ; and refused to pay the
customary tolls in Grimsby market, though the
same were lawfully demanded and proved to be
chartered rights.

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 87

They had also contests with the Earl of
Lincoln, Henry de Lacy, for claiming royal
liberties in the borough, such as authority to levy
new taxes, to erect a gallows and suspend unruly
people upon it ; and the bailiffs of the Earl of
Cornwall at Stock with, for boarding vessels on
the Trent and running them ashore, and at the
same time demanding a tenth part of the cargoes
for their redemption and detaining them, to the
spoiling of their fish, if these unlawful demands
were not promptly complied with. Robert, of
Dunham-upon-Trent, the bailiff of William de
Valence of Gainsborough was charged with
obstructing their vessels by drawing an iron
chain across the river and demanding a toll for
passage. A similar offence, it was stated, was
also comrriitted by the bailiffs of Roger le Strange
at Kynyar Ferry.

They had to contend, too, with a curious
neighbour in the person of Sir Walter de la
Lynde, who took forcible possession of the port
and applied the tolls to his own use. This
worthy, as we learn from the state records, kept a
train of armed retainers at Laceby in his baronial
hall there, who were a terror to the country and
particularly to the burgesses of Grimsby. When

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88 OLD GRIMSBY.

the Mayor attended by the bailiffs and town clerk
waited upon Sir Walter to expostulate with him
of his wild band and their lawless proceedings, he
was so incensed that he caused those dignitaries
to be shut up in his dungeons and ordered a
gallows to be prepared for their immediate
execution, and though, when his wrath was
somewhat abated, he recalled the order, he
caused them to be placed in the ducking stool,
and after seeing them ** soused to his hearts
content, sent them back to Grimsby to serve as a
lively warning against further deputations to
Laceby.''

At Thoresby, too, there resided another un-
desirable neighbour named Richard Messor, who
used to stop carts on the highway between Louth
and Grimsby, and detain them until certain sums
he claimed were paid ; while his brothers Robert
and Simon, son of Hugh, not only attacked a
certain Alan de Kirketon in the market at
Grimsby with drawn knives and clubs, but beat
and cruelly handled him so that he was thought
more likely to die than live. This they did on
the day of St. Clement about the second year of
the reign of Edward I. (a.d. 1274), and such
transgressions ^' they do commonly that they may

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE. 89

unjustly carry off the goods of the Burgesses and
others of Grimsby/*'*

The poorer classes, too, complained that the
wealthy inhabitants excluded them from all
participation in privileges of the borough by
monopolising the whole trade to themselves,
forestalled their vessels in the H umber, and
compelled them to sell the entire cargoes at a low
price, and then disposed of them in the Grimsby
markets on their own terms. The people on
several occasions rose in a body, seized and
destroyed the merchandise and ultimately obtained
a charter which sought to secure equal justice to
all.

When Edward II. determined to invade
France, he issued a precept to the Mayor and
bailiffs of Grimsby ordering them to equip every
ship in their port, and join the fleet without
delay. The squadron from this town was placed
under the command of James Kingston, who was
ordered to cruise on the eastern coast, and to
capture all vessels, whether of France or any
other allies of the Scottish nation with whom he
was at war, and to convey them in security to the
H umber.

* (Rot. Hund : 3 Edward III., p. 292.

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90 OLD GRIMSBY.

In the reign of Edward III., the trade of the
town was so greatly diminished that a petition
was presented, praying that the Corporation
might be freed from the annual fee-farm rent of
^50, which they found themselves unable to pay.

In it the petitioners state that they *'fynde, by
olde remembrance, that the town hath bene of
grete worshipp, and inhabyte wt many notable
marchandes maryners, and craftes maner to the
nowmb'r of lij score housaldes and mo, and all is
now so decayde and waysted be infortown off
were and waystyng of the see, wherby the haven
is wrekyd and stopped, by the which the resorte of
marchandyes is destroyed, and the bygyng gone
doun, so that ther is not left within the saide
Towne, xij men of substance that is able to repaire
the seide towne and uppholde and maynteyne the
iij parysh kyrkes, ij howses of freles, an Abbey,
and a house of nonnes within the seide Towne."
They go on to say that **grettest cause of
waystyng theroff has bene gret charge that thei
had of leveinge and paying of a yerly rentt of 1. li.
over the charge of xj. that is paid to the said
Abbay, and yete dayly it waystes and goys away,
and none is like ther to abyde ; and that is grete
pety, and to the Kyng and his heieres of grete

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EARLY TRADE AND COMMERCE 91

hurte in that parte of his realme, for it has been a
grete strength and shulde be to the countre a safe
porte and bay." They further state that they
had no certainty of obtaining the ** rente " and it
** yerele undose ij men that be chosen Baylefe for
the yer. Wherefore thei dar no people cum ther
to inhabyt, and so the towne lyke utterly to
go away. They ask that the rent may be
remitted and *' trust to Allyghty God the Towne
shall encreese and inhabeth agen."

The petition was not without effect, letters
patent were issued appointing Robert de Malber-
thorpe, Peter de Lydyngton, and Gilbert de
Toutheby to inquire into the matter, and the
result was that the Corporation was allowed to
conduct the waters of the Freshney through the
King s soil in the west marshes, into the haven,
and the town became possessed of an excellent
harbour and a flourishing trade.

In the middle ages Grimsby had an extensive
trade in malt. In 1369 a licence was granted to
. Thomas Clidesdale, empowering him to purchase
2,000 quarters of malt at Grimsby, for exportation
into Scotland, at the pressing request of the
bishop of Glasgow, and in 1375 several licenses
were granted for purchases of still greater

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92 OLD GRIMSBY.

magnitude, and later on other licenses were
granted for similar purpose.

The **shoppes'' at this time were designated
by signs, as public-houses are at present, but the
latter had a chequer board in addition to the
sign.

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®it) Sports ant) padttmcd.

IN the **good old times" our ancestors appear
to have taken things comfortably, and
broken the monotony of their quiet lives with
numerous sports and pastimes. One of the most
popular of these was Hunting and Baiting the
Bear. All classes took part in the sport. Many
of the nobles kept their bear-wards, whose duty it
was to feed, train, and carry about these animals
for the amusement of their masters and their
friends and dependants. The fifth Earl of
Northumberland, who died in 1527, kept a bear-
ward, whose annual reward was twenty shillings.

From an Inquisition taken in i339» it appears
that Joan, widow of Thomas de Musgrave of
Bleechesdon, in Oxfordshire, held a moiety of one
message and one carucate of land of the King ;
by the service of carrying one boar-spear, price
twopence, to the King, whenever he should hunt
in the park of Cornbury, and do the same as
often as he should hunt during his stay at Wood-
stock.

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94 OLD GRIMSBY.

Hunting the wild boar was a favourite pastime
of the townsmen of Grimsby. The manor of
Bradley was held by tenure of keeping in the
woods a supply of boars for an annual hunting
match, which was officially proclaimed on some
particular day after the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin. The sport was followed with spirit, and
seldom did the day close without bringing down
a leash of boars, which provided important dishes
for a feast held on the following day. At this
feast the newly-elected mayor occupied a seat at
the table ; in company with the members of
the Corporation and leading gentlemen of the
town and district. Before the mayor were placed
two boar's heads, and before the marshall, one,
and these constituted the chief fare for the festive
gathering. The attachment of the members of
the Corporation to their ancient dish caused them
to secure a provision for it in their agreement for
letting the ferry between Grimsby and Hull, at an
annual rent of *'one good and well-fed boar on
the feast day of St. John Baptist, and one
quarter of well-fed ox beef and twenty shillings on
the feast day of St. Thomas."

Most probably the origin of the seal of the
Corporation of Grimsby, a chevron between three

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OLD SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 95

bear's heads, is derived from the custom of
hunting the wild boar.

At an Inquisition taken January 4th, 1624,
before Michael Emerson, gent., Wm. Marshall,
gent., Robert Manby, gent., and Anthony Smyth,
by commission from the Court of Exchequer, in a
cause between the Corporation and Hustwaite
Wright, gent., for the recovery of outrents pay-
able out of lands at Bradley, *' Laurence Draper
of Would Newton, yeomen, set seventy, says,
Grimsby is an ancient haven toune, and he hath
known it for fifty years, but it is not so populous
nor so much frequented by merchants and
mariners as heretofore it hath been. He knows
Bradley ; there are two manors there, one of
which was anciently called Lord Well's manor,
the other was sometime one Hust wood's manor.
Defendant is in possession of both, but Mr.
Pelham claims part of Lord Well's manor." . *.
" The said Laurence Draper says that there
were two messages belonging to Lord Well's
manor, one called the Lordshippe, now decayed.
Has heard that the Mayor and Burgesses had the
privilege of hunting a boar yearly on Holy Rood
day in Bradley Woods. '"^

* Historical Manuscript's Commission [C— 7881J.

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96 OLD GRIMSBY.

Cockfighting was another favourite sport with
our forefathers. Stephen-de-la-See, member for
the Borough in 1445, possessed a very choice
breed of red game cocks, of which he was very
proud. One of his most famous birds was called
Spang-Counter, and had been victor in several
Welsh mains. Sir John Empringham also had a
collection of a noted breed, ** black in colour and
undaunted in the pit." One evening, whilst
sitting by a warm fire, these two worthies got into
a discussion respecting the game and the character
of birds, one contending for the superiority of red
and the other of black. As they ** discussed " as
well the excellency of a flagon of Gascon wine,
they both grew warm, and at length agreed to
determine the question by pitting their favourite
birds against each other, agreeing at the same
time that the loser should give half an acre of land
for the purpose of an open cock-pit, where the
lower class of burgesses ''might partake in this
delectable amusement at their pleasure.' The
red cock was victor, and Sir John accordingly
conveyed to the Corporation a slip of land at the
upper end of the town, which he held in fee of the
Abbot of Wellow as a public place of recreation
for the burgesses as long as a pear tree, which

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 97

had been planted that day in commeration of his
return should live, subject to the annual payment
of a pound of unground pepper. This gave the
name to the place, which is yet known as the
Peppercorn,

But the most popular sport was Bull-baiting,
and to make suitable provision for it even the aid
of royalty was secured.

There was a royal ordinance of Henry VII
(a*". 14), passed in 1499, **to the relief and susten-
tation of the Kings borough of Grimsby," which
provides that ** the butchers of this Francheis, and
others that keep slaughter shops, . . shall
make once yearly, before the mayor and his
burgesses, one Bull-baiting, at a convenient time
of the year, according to the custom of this
Francheis before used upon pain of forfeiting
6s. 8d."

The town authorities also enacted the following
bye-law: — **That no butcher shall, in future, kill
a bull within this borough, nor shall any bull's
flesh be sold, or any bull brought into the market
for sale, unless it has been baited openely before
the mayor and burgesses, under a penalty of
6s. 8d."

Archery was a favourite amusement at (jrimsby,

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98 OLD GRIMSBY.

and was practiced every evening during the
summer season on the Peppercorn, where
** mounds were thrown up to prevent the arrows
from snaking and being lost in the grass."

One of the most popular feasts was that of the
Vigil of St. John the Baptist. The ceremonies
attending were of an interesting character. The
Town Watch was assembled, and was formed by
the members of the Corporation and the burgesses,
each one of whom was obliged to be present
except he had **a responsible cause of absence,"
of which he had to duly notify the mayor, and
provide a substitute. Each man was also ** bound
to be armed with such weapons as he had at
hand." Some appeared with pikes, others with
muskets, calivers, or other guns, some with
partisans or halberts. Those who possessed
armour clad their servants in it, and mounted
them on horses, sword in hand. All were, more
or less, decorated with ribbons, garlands of
flowers, and other ornaments, and each vied with
his neighbour as to who could make the fairest
show.

The burgesses having assembled at the Hall
Garth, the mayor s sergeant tendered to them the
following oath : — ** You shall well and truly keep

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 99

this town till to-morrow at the sun-rising ; and
you shall enter no house without license or cause
reasonable. You shall due warning make to the
parties, of all casualties by fire, the crying of
unruly children, as the case may require. You
shall due search make of all manner of affrays,
bloodsheds, outcries, and all other things that may
create suspicion, etc., etc." The whole then
marched in procession through each street, back-
wards and forwards, attended by a numerous train
of cresset-bearers. The streets were decorated
with branches of iron suspended from the
windows, containing hundreds of glass lamps
which were blazing with light, while bonfires
illuminated the whole town.

These demonstrations appear to have been
attended with considerable danger to the public
peace, for it was ordained " that if any man should
draw a sword, knife, or any other dangerous
weapon, in violation of the king's peace within
the burg, he shall forfeit to the mayor and
burgesses as oft as he is convicted thereof, forty
pence, and if he strike or threaten to strike anyone
he shall forfeit forty pence if he be a foreignor,
but if a burgess twenty pence, except he submit
himself to the mayor's grace and to his brethren."

72906

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loo OLD GRIMSBY.

There was a tenement on the south side of St.
Mary's Gate called the Church House, where the
spits, cocks, and other utensils were deposited and
kept in readiness for use at the Whitsuntide
festival.

This festival was taken part in by all classes,
the younger people engaged in archery, bowling,
dancing, and other sports, whilst the ** elders*' sat
with their cans of ale before them, watching the
games, and ready to settle disputes. A green
harbour was erected in the church-yard of St.
Marys, called Robin Hood's, where maidens
gathered contributions and '* churchwardens
brewed whitsun-ales, and sold them in the church'''
for the benefit of the pQor. Dr. Oliver quotes
the following description of the festival, as held in
Grimsby, from an eye-witness. ^* An individual
of each sex was previously chosen to be lord and
lady of the feast, who dressed themselves in
character, and the great tithe-barn was fitted up
with seats for the company, decorated with
garlands, ribbons, and other showy ornaments.
Here they assembled towards the evening to
dance and regale themselves, and each young
man was expected to treat his girl with a ribbon
or favour. The lord and lady were attended by

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. loi

the proper officers, and a jester dressed in a party
coloured jacket, whose jokes and uncouth notions
contributed to the entertainment of the company.
The borough minstrels were also bound to attend
with their instruments of music ; and the day
concluded with merriment and joy."

Another popular annual game in Grimsby was
Hock'tide, which was usually held on the Monday
and Tuesday following the second Sunday after
Easter. In Grimsby it was largely confined to
Tuesday. It was the custom of the women to
stop the streets with cords round the Market-
place, and seize all the men they met, binding
them with cords, and refusing to liberate them
without a small contribution in money. On the
Monday the young men had treated the opposite
sex in a similar way, but not to the same extent
as was practiced on the day following by the
females. The contributions levied were spent in
providing a feast in which all shared, and con-
siderable merriment prevailed.

This feast was supposed to have been originated
to commemorate the massacre of the Danes on
St. Bruce's day, 1002, and its name to have been
derived from the German word Hocken in refer-
ence to the custom of binding, of this there is how-

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I02 OLD GRIMSBY.

ever some doubt. An interesting account of this
festival may be found in Chambers' ** Book of
Days," Vol I., pp. 498-9, and in Hone's ** Every
day Book," Vol. I. p. 238.

Dr. Oliver represents his " Raven " as saying
that it was established *' in rememberance of the
death of the last Danish monarch, Hardicanute,
which happened on Tuesday, the 8th June, 1041,
an event by which the English were delivered
from the tyrannical rule of the Danes." Whether
this was the origin of the feast or not, no doubt
our ancestors of this town celebrated it as such.

Maypole.

In the Bull-ring stood the shaft of the Maypole,
which was invariably erected on May-day, which
was always kept as a public holiday. The young
people attended in great numbers, and took part
in the sports peculiar to the occasion, such as the
May Queen, Robin Hood, the friar, the fool, the
dragon, and the hobby-horse, all robed in
character.

The Corporation possessed the privilege of
cutting down a tree in Bradley Wood for the
May-pole, whence it was fetched early in the
morning by a crowd, and brought into the Bull-

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 103

ring with great ceremony. Then it was decorated
from top to bottom, and erected amid the shouts
of the spectators. Washington Irvine says : —
**One can readily imagine what a gay scene it
must have been, when the doors were decorated
with flowing branches ; when every hat was
decorated with hawthorn ; and Robin Hood,
Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, the Norris dancers
and all the other fantastic masks and revellers
were performing their antics about Maypole.
Robin Hood presided as the Lord of the May : —

" With coat of Lincoln green, and mantle too,
And horn of ivory mouth, and buckle bright.
And arrows wing'd with peacock feathers light.
And trusty bow well gathered of the yew.'*

The custom was abolished by the Puritans and
the Maypole thrown down; but it was ^* restored "
with **the Restoration," to the great joy of the
Grimbarians, who resumed the sport with a new
relish, encouraged as they were by Abraham
Bates, the new vicar, and the historian, Gervase
Holies, as the representative of the borough.
Ducking of Scolds.

The Ducking of Scolds afforded considerable
amusement to the people of Old Grimsby, and
appears to have been an ancient custom, which

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104 OLD GRIMSBY.

was occasionally indulged in to an unwarrantable
extent ; for Maddock, in his History of the
Exchequer, states that ** previous to the granting
of the Charter by King John, the Authorities
were severely punished for having caused a
woman, accused of making too free use of her
tongue, to the punishment of the tumbrel,
or ducking-stool, at a place on the river
Freshney, without having obtained confirmation
or proof.

The Ducking-chair haven is still a well-
known place, marked by a stone bridge which
spans the Freshney, and is used in passing from
Flottergate to the Wesh Marsh. The original of
this bridge was built at the expense of two
merchants, Michael Empringham and Christopher
Ayliffe. There had previously been a bridge of
timber. The old stone one was repaired in 1710,
pursuant to an order of the Court ** in accordance
with the terms of an agreement made with Sir
Thos. Barnardiston, recorder of Grimsby and
proprietor of Great and Little Coates, for the use
of the waters of Pipe Creek and Freshney," when
a stone somewhat mutilated was placed in the
foundations, and since discovered, with the
following inscription in the Roman character

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 105

' This Building Was Made By Michael Emprin-
gham, Mayor, and Christopher Ayliffe, Anno
Domini, 1^66,''

Sometimes the populace united with the pastime
of the Ducking-stool, that of Riding the Stang,
a still more popular one, so far as the youthful
members of the community were concerned.

There lived in a "mean" cottage in Cross
Lane a shoemaker named Wm. Thingsby, who,
being a *' foreigner," i.e, ''no freeman," was not
allowed to join the guild of shoemakers.
Whether this excited the wrath of his wife, who
was a shrew, or not, it is not possible to say, but
it is certain that ^he would frequently '*rush
furiously into the street and vent her spleen in such
a vociferous manner that her neighbours, after
bearing with her till they could do so no longer,
took the matter into their own hands. A number
of persons, principally young rhen and boys,
'* procured a short scaffold pole, and mounting
one of their number astride thereon, carried it
round the neighbourhood, publicly announcing
their intention of riding the stang, all the while
hallooing, blowing cow's horns, etc. Arriving at
the shoemaker's dwelling, followed by an immense
crowd, they halted, when the stang rider, having

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io6 OLD GRIMSBY.

obtained silence, made the following proclamation,
which was called a Nominey : —

With a ran, dan, tan.

On my old tin can,

Mrs. Thingsby and her good man.

She bang'd him, she bang'd him,

For spending a penny when he was in need.

She up with a three-legged stool,

She struck him so hard.

And she cut him so deep,

Till the blood ran down like a new-stuck sheep."

During this performance the culprit for whose
special delectation the affair was **got up," came
to the door and poured out a volley of vitu-
perations against ** freemen" in particular and
Grimbarians in general. This only added fuel to
the flame, and the uproar, if possible, was in-
creased, and only ceased when the performers
had shouted themselves hoarse. By the next
evening, however, they had recovered their
voices, and appeared once more and repeated the
programme, which was so successful that it was
kept up the next night. At the close of the
third performance there was a round of cheers,
and the crowd dispersed crying '* Beware of the
Trebucket ! Beware of the Trebucket ! " a
warning which was of so dreadful a character that

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SPORTS AND PASTIMES. 107

for a while the demon of passion was kept in
chains. This, however, did not last long, her
"spirit" could no longer be controlled, and at
length the multitude gathered, went to the Town
Hall, took out the duck-stool, and coming upon
her in the midst of an exhibition of ** street
oratory," seized her, hurried her to the stone
bridge, placed her in the ** vehicle," fastened her
in it, and gave her such a number of dippings
that she was quiet exhausted, and *' returned
home in a draggled condition with a mob at her
heels, effectually subdued ; for she was troubled
with hydrophobia ever after."

This remedy did not, however, always prove
successful, for in the next century a woman named
Jane Dutch was repeatedly subjected to the
ordeal. Cool as the water was, it did not cool her
temper or stop her *' fervid eloquence, for between
each dip she gave the assembled populace
abundant specimens of vulgar English," and
even when the castigation was over she, though
dripping wet, continued perse veringly to '* use her
tongue as undauntedly as ever."

In 1647 the Ducking-stool was repaired for
her benefit by order of the Corporation, but she
was perfectly unconquerable ; and her disorderly

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io8 OLD GRIMSBY.

conduct was carried to such a length that the
parish officers were alternately subjected to a
heavy fine for refusing to indict her in the
Ecclesiastical Court. The last scold who
occupied the Trebucket was Poll Weldale, about
the year 1780. When the new haven was made
some twenty years later, the ** Instrument'* was
removed and never restored.

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©ID ©rimsbi? Jfamilies anb l^otabilitics*

** "1 7^ THEN Ravensrodd was laid at the bottom
^ ^ of the sea, the town of Grimsby rose
by gradual steps to opulence and repute ; its
commerce was extensive, and its merchants sub-
stantial and wealthy. It was graced by two
churches, five religious establishments, and a
haven capable of admitting ships of burden up to
the town bridge. Many ancient and opulent
county families resided within its precincts, some
of whom were elected to serve the office of High
Sheriff, others represented it in Parliament, and
all contributed, by the splendour of their
establishments, and the lustre of their talents, to
confer a high degree of reputation on the town." *

We commence our account of these with
Members of Parliament.

Edmundus Rayner was member, along with
Robertus Keilby, in 1330. There was a resident
in Grimsby, called in Domesday Book, ** Raynor
the Deacon," who was, no doubt, an ancestor of

* Byrde of Gryme. p. 8i,

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no OLD GRIMSBY.

the M. P. Ray nor the Deacon, a Lincolnshire
man, who held property in Swallow, but left
the kingdom, and ultimately, though in
holy orders, re-appeared in the character of
a soldier, under William the Conqueror.
He was brave, and did good service at the
Battle of Hastings, and was rewarded with
estates in Grimsby, Stallingborough, Keelby,
Limber, and other places. He took up his
residence in Grimsby, and one of his descendants
founded the chantry which ever afterwards bore
his name. He endowed it with lands and other
property in Grimsby and elsewhere, tp furnish a
priest for performing daily masses for the benefit
of his own soul and those of his ancestors and
posterity'^

1 34 1. Johannes de Grymesby.

He belonged to a very ancient family, to which
there are numerous references in the Borough
Records. They occupied a mansion in Flotter-
gate, built by Walter de Grymesby, soon after the
Conquest. His posterity occupied it for nearly
three centuries. There was a Walter de
Grymesby, who was appointed to the office of
High Sheriff of the County as early as 1170, an

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. iii

office conducted with almost regal splendour, and
at great expense. So well did he execute his
office, that he held it for six successive years.

In the reign of Edward III., Edmund de
Grymesby was appointed to the office of Gustos
Rotulorum, and Chancellor of Ireland. He was
evidently rich, for he advanced considerable loans
to the king, from whom he obtained a commission
to inquire into the state of the marshes and waste
places in the borough. On June 5th, 1342, letters
patent were issued, licensing Edmund de Grymesby,
and assigning to a chaplain in the Church
of St. James', ten tofts in Grymesby, and 13s. 4d.
yearly from a message. He also, on September
1 2th, 1342, and March 12th, 1345, secured other
favours, such as lands, tenements, and rents for
two chaplains, and in the latter case, seven shops,
twelve acres of land, and five acres of meadow
in Grymesby, held of the king in free burgage,
and worth 26s. 8d. yearly. In Court Books (fo.
71 a) there is a deed from Edmund de Grymesby,
clerk (dated March i8th, 1344), granting to Wm.
de Shropshire, of Waltham, chaplain, seven shops
and land, which he had by gift of Sir John de
Grymesby, Rector of By nte worth," upon
trust, to celebrate in St. James' Church, for

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112 OLD GRIMSBY.

the souls 6f the said Edmund's, father and mother,
brother and sisters, and all burgesses of the town,
and for the good estate of the said Edmund, etc.

There was a Simon de Grymesby Mayor in
1402, and John de Grymesby was installed Abbot
of Wellow in 14 17. In the list of members of
Parliament are, Johannes de Grymesby, 1341,
1355, and 1372 ; Willielmus Grymesby, 1365,
1379, 1382; Petrus de Grymesby, 1383; Simon
de Grimsby, 1408; Willielmus Grymesby, 1448,
1472. In the reign of Henry VIII., there resided
a member of the family in their mansion in
Flottergate, who possessed large estates in the »
lordship, and who seems to have been the last
who did so.

The family, or at least part of it, removed to
Hull, where Sir Peter de Grymesby rose to
eminence. He was mayor of that town three
times, and he founded a hospital in Hull, and
endowed it with a chaplain to pray for his soul,
and the soul of his wife and other Christians. He
was one of the Royal Commissioners to supply
the port with fresh water, and also to see that the
waters of the Ancholme from Glanford Brigg
were kept free and open for the passage of boats.
His memory was honoured by the authorities, of

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 113

Hull naming one of the streets after him, which
is still called Grimsby Street. A son of his was
named as the king's escheator, and guardian of
his manor of " Brustwyk," in Holderness, and was
twice Mayor of Hull.

1377. WiLLIELMUS WeLE.

The family of Wele was among those of the
greatest importance, not only in the borough, but
in the county as well. Several of them had
served as High Sheriff of the County. There
was a William de Wele, mayor, as early as 1393.
There was a Willielmus Wele, one of the
two members who represented the borough in
Parliament in 1377 and 1385. In 1482, Williel-
mus de Wele, alderman, was one of the two
members. Dr. Oliver states that the name often
occurs in the Records, and says that Walter de
Wele " was authorized by the Crown to super-
intend the liberation of a cargo of goods,
belonging to William Johnson, of Aberdeen,
which had been detained in the Port of Grimsby
by an embargo, imposed by the kings pro-
clamation.

The only reference I can find in the Report of
the Historical Manuscript's Commission to this

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114 OLD GRIMSBY.

family is taken from fo. 349 in Court Rolls, Box
iv. ** 1305, xviith April. Deed of Walter de
Wele, and Walter, son of Richard Storme, of
Itterby, parish of St. Saviour's, Clee, which is
appropriated to Grimesby Abbey, as to tithes
of fish, etc." There is a reference in the same
box, fo. 9^- to the release by certain persons
of their claims to land which Grimesby Abbey
held by gift of Amei de Welesby, and John, son
of William de Wellesby, knight. The name no
doubt refers to the de Weles'. They resided in
the Hall in Haven Street. They both died at
Grimsby, and were buried in St. James' Church.
A monument was erected in memory of Walter,
which is thus described by Holies. ** In the
uppermost parts of the north aisle is a fayne
monument of freestone, carved and arched, under
which arch- work are divers fayne shields cut in
stone, on which are these arms ; viz ; * on a
bend between the Roman W. and an amulet,
WELE. Divers Escocheus of the same bordured
about the top. The inscription thus ; Hie jacet
Walterus de Wele qui obite undecmio die Febwaril
Anno dui M\ CCC\ LXXX\ VIII\ Cupes
animae propitie tur Dominus! The monument
has long since disappeared."

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 115

The family, according to Dr. Oliver, was
allied to royalty, and liberally supported religious
establishments. They intermarried with the
Eresbys and other noble Lincolnshire families.
One of them, Richard-de-Wele, held the Manor
of Well, near Alford, at the Conquest, and
** another was Lord Abbot of Crowland ; and in
the reign of Henry VI I L its representative was
created Viscounte Wele."

1472. Hugo Eden.

He was a wealthy merchant, whose father
intermarried with a member of the Kingston
family. He resided at *' Ivy House," which
stood at the upper end of Fleet Street,
adjoining the dock, near Burn Creek. He
was returned in 1483 and 1494, and received
from his constituents 6s. 8d., for his expenses in
attending the House. He was mayor in 1471,
and there was also a Hugo Eden, mayor in

1454-

1483. Peter De la See.

He belonged to an old and noble family.
His ancestor, Sir Martin De la See, occupied
a spacious mansion at the upper end of the

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ii6 OLD GRIMSBY.

town, called the ** Hall," where he planted
a mulberry tree and an avenue of yew trees,
as a fringe to the river Freshney, which ran
through his estates, all of which, says Oliver,
writing in 1866, "are still in being. He was a
fine specimen of an old English gentleman, and
given to hospitality, for he used commonly to salt
down the carcases of 10 oxen, 40 fat pigs, 60
sheep, fish in unheard of quantities, and game,
such as venison, hares, herons, cranes, pheasants,
curlews, swans, geese, and smaller fowls, ad
libitum^ Like the men of his age, he appears to
have been passionately fond of sports of various
kinds, for in his yard were stables, dog-kennels,
mews for hawks, and ample convenience for
breeding, feeding, and training game cocks.

The family of the De la Sees were numerous.
Several of them were permanent residents in the
borough, and contributed to its opulence by
extensive mercantile operations, and expended
their revenues in the improvement of the port
and harbour. Peter De la See was mayor and
represented the borough in 1346. He was
mayor also in 1358 and 1368. Stephen was
twice returned to Parliament, and was mayor in
1475 and 1478. Bernard was mayor in 1505,

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 117

1506, and 15 10. Sir Martin De la See was a
valiant knight, who held the manor and advowson
of the rectory of Barmston, near Bridlington ;
he died, and was buried at the latter place,
but his tomb and effigies are in the latter
church.

One of them settled at Itterby, a part of Clee-
thorpes, where he built a mansion. He possessed
considerable estates in Grimsby, Clee, Waithe,
Beverley, and many other places.

John De la See built a Franciscian monastery
in Kilngarth, at the end of Swan Lane, and
endowed it with the adjacent field and other
property. It was early celebrated for the piety
and learning of its inmates, and was rendered
famous by the celebrated scholar, Fra Breton,
author of an exposition of Scripture difficulties,
which acquired an extensive reputation. Erasmus,
in his controversy with Bishop Standish, confi-
dently appealed to Fra Breton's work as a
decisive authority in endeavouring to determine
the meaning of a controverted passage. The
monastery fell into decay, as did the family of the
De la Sees, and in the sixteenth century their
estates in Grimsby and the neighbourhood were
purchased by Sir William Ayscough, of Kelsey,

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ii8 OLD GRIMSBY.

who took up his residence in the mansion in
Bridg way gate.

Sir William's successor, his son Richard, finding
the old house falling into decay, erected a spacious
residence in the same street, extending from the
Bars to the Bridge, *'for which purpose he pulled
down eight shops within the liberties of Wellow,
which he held of the abbot in fee by the service
of one pound of cumming annually."

Stephen De la See, who was M.P. for Grimsby
in 1485, planted a pear-tree in commemoration of
his return, which is still standing. Oliver states
that several persons were present at the planting,
and each one ** drank a cup of ale, addressing the
newly-planted tree in these words : —

Health to thee, good Pear Tree,
Well to bear, pockets full, hats full,
Bushel bags full ;

and emptied the remainder of the liquour on the
tree as a libation.*' The same writer states that
this pear-tree was *' highly honoured," by the fact
that Shakespeare, when on a visit to Sir Richard
Ayscough, in his newly erected mansion, took a
fancy to it, and frequently sat meditating on the
seat which had been placed under its spreading
branches, and one beautiful day in August, as he

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 119

sat listening to the song of a lark, he penned the
well-known lines : —

" Hark ! hark ! the lark at Heaven's gate sings,
And Phoebus 'gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs,

On chaliced flowers that lies ;
And winking Mary-buds begin

To ope their golden eyes ;
With every thing that pretty bin.
My lady sweet arise —
Arise — arise."

1496. John Heneage.

This is the first time I find the name of
Heneage among the members of the borough,
but it frequently occurs afterwards, as several
of the family sat for the borough of whom more
anon.

1509. Sir Robert Tyrwhitt.

He resided at Tyrwhitt Hall, adjacent to
St. James' Church. He was a vice-admiral.
His residence, after the family left Grimsby
to reside at Stainfield, which had been
granted to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, as a part
of the possession of a Benedictine nunnery
in that parish, was purchased by Arthur Moore,
High Steward, and Member for Grimsby, who
afterwards sold it to Sir Wm. Pelham, of

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120 OLD GRIMSBY.

Brocklesby, and he converted it into an inn, called
the Granby.

15 1 2-1 520. George Barnardison.

There is no entry in Oliver s list between the
two dates. I cannot find any mention of George
Barnardison in the Corporation Records ; but there
was a Sir John Barnardison, mayor and M.P.,
who will be referred to in due course.

1525. William Hatcliffe, Alderman.

The Hatcliffe family, who resided in Grimsby,
was one of considerable importance, as is proved
by the fact that several members of the family
represented the borough as mayor, and Thomas
Hatcliffe as M.P. in 1588-9, and 1597. The
latter was the king's farmer for Grimsby. The
Court Records abound with references to several
members of this family, a few quotations from
which must suffice. At an interrogatory held at
Louth, September, 1581, Christopher Hatcliffe
was one of the witnesses. Henry Wentworth, of
Clee, gent., deposed that he received from Mrs.
Hatcliffe, now, or late wife of Mr. Stoke, a lease
from the mayor (John Sherriffe), bailiffs, and
burgesses of Grimsby, to the abbott and convent

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 121

of Wellowe, of a marsh called Wolso, and he
delivered the same to Mr. Paton (late belonging
to Sir Walter Meld way, knt.), to procure for him-
self and this deponent certain arrearages amount-
ing to ;^200, supposed to be due to her majesty.

The following curious passage is in Court
Books, fo. 230^ See Report of Manuscript's
Commission : —

1523. ** Upon Relique Sonday was Wm.
Hatclyff, the son of Stevyn Hatclyffe, prest to go
to the kynges besynes, and he sayd, * How schuld
I go to the kynges besynes and leyffe my tytill."^'
And Mr. Hatclyffe sayd to hym this, that he
shuld mak William Hatclyffe his son to be for
hym and to deliver to hym all the ryght [and]
tytyll that he had as cowld be fon by Mast*
Hennech at hys comyng. And so we, Mr. Peter
Mason and John Fotherby, with other sertan
officers [met ?], and so in owr presens he cam to
thse grondes, that he mayd tytill un to, and gaff
un to William Hatclyff son of Mr. William
Hatclyffe, all the ryght and tytill that schall be
fond in hym at the syght of Mr. Hennech, as afor
is sayd, to the intent to pay is dettes as the law
wyll, yff so be that the law wyll geve me owthe."
(Court Books, fo. 230^).

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122 OLD GRIMSBY.

1529. Sir William Ayscough.

1536. Sir William Ayscough and Sir Chris-
topher Ayscough. Members of a well-known
and historic family. The latter resided in High
Street, near St. Marys Church, in 1524. He
entered an accusation against the Abbot of
Wellow, for enclosing a certain portion of the
abbey lands, and encouraging Bryan Curteys,
the mayor, to block up the road leading to
Cleethorpes, and other marine villages, for the
purpose of securing to himself a monopoly of the
fish trade. The Abbot answered ** that the land
had indeed been enclosed by one of his
predecessors, in accordance with a custom called
Intak ; but whether the act was right or wrong,
he would not be considered responsible for an
action which was committed before he was born ;
and as to the other charge, that of blocking up
the road to the fish towns, so far from being-
implicated, he had formally remonstrated against
it."

*' This Sir C. Ayscough was rather a turbulent
gentleman,*' says Dr. Oliver, **as we learn
from existing documents, for an information was
preferred against him for taking and converting
to his own use a sturgeon, which was a royal fish

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 123

belonging of right to the crown ; and Michael
Mason, the mayor, claimed the fish as a waif in
his character of mesn, or steward, to the king,
within the jurisdiction of the borough. But Sir
Christopher refused to give it up, as it was a
great delicacy, and would fetch more money than
an ox in those times."

1553- John Bellow, Alderman.

John Bellow, Esq., was mayor in 1546, 1549,
1552, and 1555. He belonged to an ancient
family, that were old inhabitants of Grimsby. He
by some means secured the favour of Henry VHL,
who bestowed upon him the property of seventeen
religious houses, in various parts of England.
He represented the borough in Parliament during
the entire reigns of Edward VI. and Mary, and
was specially nominated by Queen Elizabeth to
continue to represent Grimsby in her first
Parliament. In Box II. of the Court Rolls of the
Corporation, there is a list of the poll of the
burgesses, 23rd October, 1554, when he, along
with Thomas Constable, alderman, was elected
for Parliament.

January 12th, 1559, '*he, J. Bellow, gave a bond
to indemnify the town against his costs, and those

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124 OLD GRIMSBY.

of Master Harrington, chosen Burgesses for
Parliament."

In 1556, I St and 2nd, Philip and Mary (1555),
June 26th, I find. — ** Deed by John Bellow of
Newstead (de novo foco), or Auckeholme, esq., to
Philip Tyrwhitte, Esq. (and others). Grant of
all his lands in Grimsby, Clee, Bradley, Little
Cotes and Stallingbro', to the use of himself and
Ursula his wife (fo. 333*.)

** 1st Edward VI., John Bellow, esq., Alderman,
agrees to serve in Parliament, and not to make
any charge for the same against the Borough."

In a deposition taken in 1567 (Elizabeth,
August 4th), several witnesses deposed that John
Bellow, Esq., held the manor of Golceby by
knight service, and sold the same to the defendant,
John Hutton, and Clare his wife, for ;^200.

In 1552, November 3rd (6th Edward VI.),
there is a bond by John Bellow, of Newstead,
esq., to ** pay and deliver to" John Dean, alias
Lawrance, bastard son of Sir Robert Lawrance,
clerk, deceased, the sum of ;^5o, a silver salt with
a cover, a gilt cup and cover, 5 silver spoons,
and a gold signet, when he shall attain the age of
21, in satisfaction of the goods late of Sir Robert
Lawrance, and Katherin Mayson, alias Lawrance,

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 125

sister of the said Sir Lawrance. Also to keep
the said John Dean at school till 16. (fo. 289\)

1563. Christopher Wray, Alderman.

Sir Christopher Wray also sat for Grimsby, in
1 614, 1620, 1628, 1640. He resided at Ashby-
cum-Fenby, and was a zealous supporter of the
Parliament, and was active in raising troops to
aid Sir John Hotham for the defence of Hull.

1646. *' March 3. At this court Collonell
Edward Rossiter is made a free Burgess and is
chosen for Parliament in place of Sir Christopher
Wray who is dead."*

1640. **Col. Edward Rossiter (in the place of
Christopher Wray), he sat in the successive
Parliaments of 1654, 1656, 1658-9."

1 57 1. John Thymolby.

He was a son of Richard Thimbleby, mayor in
1518, 1520, 1525, 1529, 1534, 1548, who owned'
tenements in Scotland Lane. His descendants
lived at Ingham, in this county, and one of them
married Dorothy, the youngest daughter of Lord
Petre. There was a Richard Thymolby mayor,
in 1590.

* This settles a point left in doubt by the recent return of members of
Parliament. Report, p. 283.

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126 OLD GRIMSBY.

1585. William Wray.
In 1603, Sir William Wray sat for Grimsby,
and in 1604, John Wray ; 1613, Sir John Wray ;
1614,* Christopher Wray, also in 1614, 1620,
1623, 1625, 1628, 1640. There was a William
Wray, who, in 1654, 1656, represented the
borough alone, and in 1658 he was returned,
along with Edward Ayscough. This borough
only returned one member at this and the follow-
ing election in 1656, but at the next, in 1658-9, it
returned two, and continued to do so until the
Reform Bill of 1831 reduced it to one. In a list
of returns, published by Francis Leach, London,
September, 1654, Sir Henry Vane, Junr., is put
down as elected for Grinisby, but this seems to be
a mistake. A writer in ^* Lincolnshire Notes
and Queries," Vol. III., p. 219, says that it is
generally thought that Sir Henry ** made no
attempt to secure a seat under the Cromwellian
regimd,'' and adds, ^* So far as I can gather, the
Journals of the House of Commons show no trace
of Sir Henry Vane, Junr., in the House between

* Under date, March 27th [ ] there is a letter from Christopher

Wray to the Mayor, returning Charter sent to him. ** Was afraid it would
have to be pleaded, but through the favour of the King's Attorney General,
he had procured a "Nill Pross" (sic) which is a sufficient discharge, and
prevents further question. Asks no other recompence than love.

I

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 127

1653 and 1659. I am therefore inclined to think
his alleged election for Grimsby a myth."
It is certain that William Wray, Esq., afterwards
sat for Grimsby in the next two parliaments.

1586. Tristram Tyrwhitt, Esq.,

M.P. for the borough in 1586 and 1589, was the
son of Sir Wm. Tyrwhitt. His mother was
Isabella Ayscough. His was an Aylesby family
of some note. He had three brothers, Sir
Robert, who lived at Kettleby, William and
Marmaduke, who resided at Scotter. Sir
William was in the Commission of the Peace for
the counties of Lincoln, York, and Leicester.

1593- William Barnes; Nicholas Sanderson.

Of these we have no information. There was
a Robert Sanderson, Esq., sat as one of the
Members of a Commission to take depositions
respecting the Abbey of Wellow in 1581.

1 601. Thomas Lord Clinton and Say;
Edward Skipwith.

In the Corporation Records I find that Thomas
Lord Clinton and Say gave a bond indemnifying
the town against expense as M.P. for the borough,
7 Oct., 1601, as did Thomas Ellys, 27 Sept.,

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128 OLD GRIMSBY.

1797. The same members were returned in
1613.

1623. Henry Pelham,

M.P. for Grimsby, 1623, 1625, 1628. He sat for
Grantham in both Parliaments of 1640, and was
secluded in 1648. He was returned in 1620,
1625, 1628.

The Pelham family, though not resident in
Grimsby, have been connected with the borough
down to the present time. Lord Yarborough is
the present representative of the family.

1640. Gervase Holles, Alderman.
Frequent references are made in this volume
to this popular representative of Old Grimsby.
His name constantly occurs in the Corporation
Records for this period, and he and his family
exercised considerable influence in the borough,
and were most highly esteemed.

1660. Edward King.
He resided at Ashby Hall, and was Lord of
the Manor (Ashby-de-la-Launde). He espoused
the cause of the Parliament, and became a promi-
nent commander in their army. He afterwards
opposed what he considered their excesses, and
was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 129

was the first in the House of Commons to move
the restoration of Charles II. The evening of
his life was spent in tranquility at Ashby, where
he received and befriended many of the ejected
ministers until his death, which took place in
1680.

1 66 1. Sir Andrew Scope,

in whose place Sir Henry Bellasyse (in whose
place) Sir Freschville Holies (in whose place)
William Broxholme.

The occurrence of two vacancies for one seat in
the same Parliament, even though it was the
'' Long Parliament," is a very unusual one, and
was occasioned by the death of the two persons
named, in an uncommon manner. Sir Henry
Bellasyse being killed in a duel with his friend
Tom Porter, and Sir F. Holies being slain in a
fight at sea, in the hour of victory, and while
gallantly defending his ship, as will be seen in the
following account : —

Sir Freschville Holies, son of Gervase

Holies, married a daughter of John Kingston.

He was **a man of high spirit and enterprise."

Dryden, in his ** Annus Mirabilis," thus describes

him.

9

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13© OLD GRIMSBY.

" Young Holies on a muse by Mars begot :

Born Caesar-like, to write and act great deeds,
Impatient to revenge his fatal shot,

His right arm doubly to his left succeeds."

The above verse refers to his having lost an
arm while engaged in the hottest of a fight fought
at sea, in 1665. On his return to Grimsby he
was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome by the
inhabitants, who rang the bells, and received him
with acclamation. Early in the spring of the
next year he was again on board his flag-ship, the
Cambridge, taking with him several Grimsby
men, who followed him from personal attachment,
and the fame of his nautical skill and bravery.
He acted as rear-admiral, but was unfortunately
killed at the moment of victory, in an engagement
with the Dutch. His loss was greatly regretted
by the country at large, but by none so much as
the people of Grimsby, to whom he was a
valuable friend, and an able representative in the
Parliament to which he was elected in 1661.

Pepys, in his gossiping Diary, "^ speaks of him
in anything but complimentary terms, terming him
a conceited, idle, prating, lying fellow. " After
dinner comes Sir F. Holies to me about business ;

* September 28th, 1667

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 131

and I go with him by coach to the Temple and
there I 'light ; all the way he telling me romantic
lies of himself and his family ; how they had
been Parliament men for Grimsby, he and
his forefathers, this 140 years ; ''^ and his
father is now ; and himself stands for
to be, with his father, by the death of
his fellow-burgess ; and that he believed it will
cost him as much as it did his predecessor, which
was ^300 in raw ale, and ^52 in buttered ale,
which I believe is one of his devilish lies." As
to Sir Freschville's story being lies, it is a fact
that his grandfather had sat for Grimsby from
1640. As to the probable cost of ale, ** raw " and
** buttered," being estimated at ;^300, the sum,
even when the value of money at that time is
considered, seems but small compared with what
has been spent in more recent elections. ** The
famous Grimsby election of Pole and Wood, in
1 790, lasted nine months, with public-houses open
all the time, the expenditure on both sides being
;^8o,ooo, and killing one fourth of the electors''
As Sir F. was vigorously opposed by Sir Philip
Tyrwhitt, his estimate appears to have been a
very moderate one.

* Gervase Holies was mayor and M.P. lor Grimsby in 1640.

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132 OLD GRIMSBY.

In the list of Parliamentary representatives for
the borough, we read : —

1 66 1. Gervase Holies. Sir Adrian Scrope

«

(in whose place) Sir Henry Bellasyne (in whose
place) Sir Freschville Holies. The cause of the
vacancy I have discovered in Pepy's Diary, while
searching for Dr. Oliver's quotation. Under the
heading of July 29th, towards the end of a
passage of several pages, occurs the following : —
** Here Creed did tell us the story of the duel
last night, in Coven t Garden, between Sir H.
Bellassis and Tom Porter. It is worth remember-
ing, the silliness of the quarell, and is a kind of
emblem of the general complexion of this whole
kingdom at present. They two dined yesterday
at Sir Robert Carr's, where it seems people do
drink high, all that comes. It happened that
these two, the greatest friends in the world were
talking together, and Sir H. Bellassis talked a
little louder than ordinary to Tom Porter, giving
of him some advice. Some of the company
standing by said, ' What are they quarrelling, that
they talk so high.'^* Sir H. Bellassis hearing it
said *No! I would have you know I never
quarrel, but I strike, and take that as a rule of
mine!' *How.'^ says Tom Porter, * strike! I

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 133

would I could see the man in England that durst
give me a blow.' With that Sir H. Bellassis did
give him a box on the ear, and so they were
going to fight there, but were hindered." Pepys
goes on to describe how Porter determined to
fight, and how they wounded each other, and how
S. H. B. urged Tom to shift for himself, as he
would not have him ** troubled for what he did do."
** And so," adds the old gossip, ** whether he did
fly or no I cannot tell, but Tom Porter showed
Sir H. Bellassis that he was wounded too : and
they are both ill, but Sir H. Bellassis to fear of
life. And this is a fine example ; and Sir H.
Bellassis a Parliament man, too, and both of them
extraordinary friends." Under August 8th he
wrote : — ** Sir Henry Bellassis is dead of the duel
he fought about ten days ago with Tom Porter,
and it is pretty to see how the world talk of them
as a couple of fools, that killed one another out of
love."

1685. Sir Thomas Barnardiston.

He belonged to an ancient Grimsby family.
There was a Sir John Barnardiston mayor in
1 54 1, who lived in a house in the west side of
Fleet Street, adjoining the Stone Bridge, which,

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134 OLD GRIMSBY.

with the demesne belonging to it, formed part of
what was afterwards called the Gannocks, con-
tained 640 feet frontage. The chief seat of this
family was at Great Coates. It was an ancient
moated hall, which, Oliver states, was thought by
some persons to be referred to in the Domesday
Survey ; where it is recorded ** that Bernard had
these two villanes and as many bordars, and
eight soke men, with one oxgan of land, two
ploughs, and a hundred acres of meadow." '* A
monument still remains in the chancel of Great
Coates Church, to the memory of Sir Thomas
and his wife."

In the report of the Corporation Records, page
286, I find the two following references : —

*• 1688, January nth. Poll for Sir Edward
Ayscough of South Kelsey, and Sir Thomas
Barnardiston of Ketton, co. Suffolk as Burgess
for Parliament, and their bonds for expenses.
1689-90, March 3. Poll of the Burgess for Sir
Thomas Barnardiston, Sir Edward Ayscoughe,
and John Chaplin, esq., on the election of two
Burgesses for Parliament. There was a Nathaniel
Barnardiston, elected Sheriff for Suffolk in Jan-
uary, 1623. The family had a long contest with
the Burgesses respecting the river Freshney, as

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FAMILIES AND NOTABILITIES. 135

it related to what were termed * Mickle Cotes and
South Cotes,' lasting from the time of Edward I.
to William III., when it was finally agreed that
the proprietors of Great and Little Coates should
grant the free use of the waters of Freshney, on
condition that the Corporation made *good and
sufficient banks at the point where the sewers of
Freshney and Pipe Creek do join, which shall
extend and reach across the Beck from the Sea
Bank on Grimsby fitties on the one side, to the
Sea Bank at Great Coates fitties on the other
side, and shall join both the said banks, so that
the same shall be made into one entire sea-bank ;
and that the said Corporation keep the same in
good repair, and fit for the passage of all manner
of carts, carriages, and horses, loaden or unloaden ;
and that the inhabitants of the two villages shall
be empowered to land their goods and merchandise
which have been brought by water into Grimsby
Haven, without let or hindrance from the said
Corporation, and without paying any wharfage,
toll, or custom whatsoever."

1722. Charles Pelham.
In an old Count Book it is the following entry,
'* Charles Pelham, Esq., admitted a free burgess
on payment of 10 marks, 24. Charles II.

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Q\t> (Brimsbp.

AMONG the noted residents of Grimsby
many are to be found who were honoured
with the office of Mayor, and filled that position
with credit to themselves and the town. We
have collected a complete list of the mayors of
Grimsby from 1202 to 1896, but finding that it
would occupy a large portion of our space, we
have erased the names of those of whom no
special record is made in the Borough Records,
except a few of the earlier ones. A full list will
be found in Mr. Anderson Bates' ** Gossip on
Old Grimsby."

1202, B, Mayor of Grimsby.

1203, Baldwin.

1 205, Edmund del Kal

1206, William Clerk.

1207, John le Art.

1209, Adam Welby.

1 2 10, William Russel.
1 2 19, Baldwin.

1 261, Philip de Wivelsby.
1287, William Fraunke.

1289, William Fraunke.

Sir William Fraunke was a resident of
Grimsby. He had rendered some important
service to Isabella, Queen Dowager, and received
many favours from Edward III., who, in the first

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OLD GRIMSBY. 137

year of his reign, committed to his charge the
castle and jail of Lincoln. He also bestowed up-
on him considerable property situated in Beesby,
and appointed him High Sheriff of the county.
Sir William was a benefactor to the Priory.
His family lived in the town many centuries.
The name does not appear in the list of Mayors
after 1299. There is a copy, in Latin, of a deed
of Lady Elizabeth Tunstall, widow, daughter and
heiress of Sir Thomas Fraunke, Knt., and
Thomas Tunstall, her son and heir, manumitting
Robert Abbot, of Itterby, with all his family.

1352, Peter DE Halsham.

From report of His. Com., p. 257, it appears
that a grant of land was made to him on Sunday,
feast of St. Matthias, 1352, **atte See of
Grimsby of the same." Also in 1374, under
'* Sunday after S. S. Fabian and Sebastian,"
** William de Benyngholme and William Mercand
of Grymesby, Chaplains, granted to Peter de
Halsham of same, and Agnes his wife, land in the
east field of Grymesby near Deadmansheudland."

1434, John Empringham.

He belonged a very old family of this town.
As early as 1360, one of its members took part in

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138 OLD GRIMSBY.

connection with John Kingston in building the
Tower of the Church. There was a John
Empringham mayor of the borough in 1443,
1451, 1495, 1507, 1508, 1509; and a Richard
Empringham in 1536, 1545, 1547, 1554, and 1558,
in which year he died. Michael Empringham,
1566, 1577; Robert Empringham, 1583; and in
1 6 10, a ** Robert Empringham, Gent." . That
addition being the only case in the list from 1202
to 1669. The Corporation Records of those
times have many entries in which they are named.
In the Court Books there is an agreement
6 Henry VII. (1490) Oct. 5th, in which if the
Earl of Westmorland ** wyll rayes of John
Hempringham and Stephen Huttlyffe (the Baliffs)
a certain sum for the fee farm of Grymsby for the
seith yere, that then the Baliffs should surrunder
oop the sayd towne of Grymesby to the Kinges
handes, or els to find a better meane for the sayd
towne.

1478, Robert Constable.

(There was a Thomas Constable M.P.
in 1554.

1480, William Glasiner.
1483, » M

Among the Deeds in Box i, in possession of
the Corporation, is one dated September, 1487,
in which William Grasyner, Mayor of Grimsby,

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OLD GRIMSBY. ^ , 139

grants a lease to John Wright of pi^emises in
Grimsby for 16 years. j

On July 26th, 1484, it was **ofdand, and agred
by Wm. Glasner, than Mair, etc., . . . that
evere Burges of Grimesby of whom any accyon is
takyn of any maner of playnt from he answer w'
susetis relevid to xij men toroage his Law, he
shall fynd suffyeyant sewryte to the BaiUyes to save
tham haimles agans the plancte, or elles he schall
be kepyd so un lorance (in durance) for the mater,
to the Bally es be discharged of that occasion."

Whether the following extract refers to the
above William Glasyner or another person of the
same name, it is not easy to decide. If it does, it
would occur a year after he occupied the chair for
the last time, which was in 1489-90: — ** April
loth, 1492, — It is found that William Glasyner,
burgeis, contrary to his Burgeis 00th, have
behaved hymself contrary to the Mayor and his
Burgesses, whereas he went to William Lilburn,
gentilman and burgess, saying theis wordes
folwoyng : — * William, I requer yewe that Maister
Messy nden and ye be at one, and frendes as
gentilmen, and if it be so hee ann ye be frends
and luffers, he setts littill by the Mayer and other
his Burges of Grymsby. Notwithstanding, the

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I40 OLD GRIMSBY.

Mayor ancj Burgesses, in common Hull, pardon
and forgive, the said William Glasyner, on
condition that he shall from henceforth be of gude
and trewe demeanor/ etc."

1484, Stephen de la See.

(See Listof M.P.'s.).

1 490- 1, William Vicars.

In an ordinance of Henry VH., dated January
8th, 1 49 1, it is stated that William Vicars, Mayer
of the Burgh of Grimsby and his Comburges,
**by a hole assent," " sworne of the Hooly
Mesbuke and the holy Canone w' the holy
crucifix w' the figure of our Suvyor Jehu there-
upon to certain artekyls," to the effect that they
would be "redy withowtyn fere or drede of any
man or any degre to resist to ther Mayer for the
tyme beyng to mayntene him and his successors
in all the poyntes and articculs contened in the
Charters granted by the King and his noble
progenitorys."

He also undertook with his fellow Comburges
that '*if ther be any man of any degree that will
vex, truble, handle, or do wrong to any of the
Burges or inaubantez w' in the said town, that
then evere ylke one of the said Burges and all
ther retenures that one and all may mayke shall

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OLD GRIMSBY. 141

be redy in ther best array fensable to w' stand all
such mysdoers and to mayntayne the Mayer, the
Kinges Burg and Fraunches."

While he was mayor there came to the court
Robert Gardner and Henry Hill of Walberdyswyk,
tenants to the manor of Blydbure, co. Suffolk, and
produced Royal Letters of 30th Jan., i Henry
VH (i486), commanding all Sheriffs to permit
them to be free of and quit from paying toll and
contributing to the expenses of knights sent to
Parliament, and it was considered by the court
that they were free of tolls within the King's town
of Grimsby,

Under 9 Henry VH (1493), 4th September,
there is the following letter from Henry Lacy to
Maister Hempryngham : — ** Maister Hempryn-
ham, in ryght gud herty maner, I recommend me
unto you, hertyly thankyng yow of all kyndnes.
Ser, the caus of my wrytyng unto yow at this
tyme is that I may be bold on you to have the
over syght of all such howsyng and ground which
I have in Grimesby, that is to wyt, v schoppis by
Sant James Chirch, and a stabuill w' a myln hous,
w^ a ground to the same by John S topis hous, and
also a ground that was Wylsons adioinyng to the
same ; whych stabull and myln hous betwix my

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142 OLD GRIMSBY.

broder Robert Lacy and William Butler and o'
nebur must be repared, and scharply and schortly
thei haue promysed me ; and so doon I hartely
pray yow to se the said howsing and ground
ordered to the best, and that no person occupy y'
bot for the mony ; and my v shoppes to lat thame
as you thynk good to honest and
trusty persons. The rent off evere schop is iijs.
iiijd., and me thynk better it is to gyff somewhat
a gane than to mynych any thyng theroff ; but I
fully remyt evere thyng to yo"" wysdom, and as you
may resave any mony to repare the said schopes,
. . . is also my broder and I standes in
bargannyng for the Same, but not fully agreed nor
concludit ; wherfor now, senc I depart out of this
contre, ther is no man w^ in Grimesby I cane so
fathefully trust, nor be so bold upon as you, and
yf yt ly in my poure I trust to serve yo"^ kyndnes.
Also you schall resave be this bryngeriij kays to
the schoppes, and tho that wantes, my broder
Robert praye Henry Skytt, his servaunt to mak
theme, and he will content hym for the same.
And thus I pray Jh'u have yow in his mersy and
full kepyng ; amen. At Kelby, on Thursday,
the iiij day of Septembr', a.*'., ix, h., vij^ Yowrs,
Henry Lacy."

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OLD GRIMSBY, 143

1 5 12, Peter Mason.

In the Court Book (fo. 3176) fo 168, we find
the following : —

** It is agreid that Pettir Mason, mair, at anny
tym herafter schall hav his fre Liberte in goynge
and commynge to and fro his Backhows w'*" out
any Serjeant or Mas befor hym at any tym w'*" in
his year of his offic or in goynge and commyng
to his next nabor hows ; and also Michael his son
schall ber the Mas affor hym unto that the said
Peter Mason may convenyently get an abyll man
to be his Sergeant."

1 5 18, Richard Thy molby, Esq. I 1519, John Fotherby.

(See List of M.P.'s). '

He was a member of an old family, whose
residence was in Brighowgate. ** On September,
27th, about 1520*'*' (the year is not stated), Sir
Thomas Darcy, Knight, Lord Darcy acknow-
leged the receipt from John Fotherby and Patrick
Annesley, baliffs of Grimsby, of 30I. Fee-farm
rent, viz., 15I. for Easter, 10 Henry VIII, and
15I. for Michaelmas, 11 Henry VIII."

In Depositions taken at Grimsby before a
commission from the court of Exchequer, in a
cause between Sir Chas. Egerton, on behalf of

*Not 1 514, as stated by Oilver,

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144 OLD GRIMSBY.

the King and the Corporation, as to the East and
West Marshes and Fitties, **John Fotherbie of
Greeat Coates, yeoman, aet 70 gave evidence as
to the leases of the same, overflowing of the sea,
charters, etc."

1532, Michael Mason.

He occupied a corner house partly in Brighow-
gate and partly in Wellowgate. He was a dealer
in Malt, which was, at that time, a staple trade in :
Grimsby, and conducted the Abbey Breweries.
He was mayor when the monasteries were
dissolved. He was mayor also in 1539.

1540, Patrick Hansley.

He occupied a house in Flottergate. His
father-in-law, John Little, of **Grett" Grimsby,
left a will dated November 26th, 1530, which
after providing that the testator should be buried
in the churchyard of St. James', goes on to
state : — " To the Lady Church at Lincoln, xijd.
The high altar, ijs. To Robert Hyll, my wife's
second gowne, Thomas Watson's wife her third
gowne. My daughter, Johan Johnson, xiiijs, iiijd,
one brass pot, and two platters. To the Awstyn
Freers, to pray for me, iijs iiijd. Saint Francis
Freers, xijd. To Patrick Tanslaye and his wife,

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\

OLD GRIMSBY. 145

my daughter, all my lands in Grimsby, they
keeping an obit for 50 years to the value of ijs.
yearly to be given to six priests in the church of
St. James, Grimsby, for singing mass."

1544, John Kingston.

He was mayor also in 1553. In 1592, John

Kingston, Esq,, son of John, was mayor, as well

as in 1592, and 1605. The family, which dated

from 1336, when a remote ancestor, Simon de

Fountenay was mayor, occupied a spacious and

well-appointed mansion, standing considerably

backward from the street, amidst gardens and

pleasure-grounds extending to the marshes. It

adjoined the residence of the Barnardistons in the

** Gaunock." The second John Kingston lived in

'* baronial style," and Oliver says he entertained

King Henry VIII. for three successive days and

nights. This fact is doubted by some of the

antiquarians of our borough. Oliver says that

'*when the King's visit was ended the host was

distinguished by a permanent mark of his favour

in being appointed to the honourable duty of

arranging the inhabitants of the district for the

Scottish wars ; and his influence was considerably

augumented by the commission." He also states

10

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146 OLD GRIMSBY.

"that he had seen the original in the Holies MS.
in the British Museum, sealed with the great seal
of England, addressed to our trusty and well
beloved subject, John Kingston, Esq., of Grimsby,
commanding him with all convenient diligence to
take the musters of all able men, as well horsemen
as footmen, both of our tenants occupying the
royal farms, fields and tenures, not only in
Grimsby, but in the adjoining country. And
there the same shall be put in such readiness
as may be set forth, upon one hour's warning,
wheresover he shall receive commandment in
that behalf. And these our letters shall be
your sufficient warrant and discharge herein
accordingly."

That Dr. Oliver saw the commission we do not
doubt, but that the existence of such a commission
was the outcome of Royal Harry's visit to
Grimsby is quiet another matter.

John Kingston, in conjunction with Richard
Empringham, built the tower of the church.
He married the only daughter of Robert Wright,
mayor of the borough in 1558, having taken the
place of Richard Empringham, who died during
his year of office. There was a John Kingston,
mayor, in 1544, 1553, and a *'John Kingston,

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OLD GRIMSBY. 147

Esq., son of John," in 1592, after which the name
does not re-appear in the list of Mayors. On
March nth, 1554, Sir Francis Ayscough wrote to
his loving friend, Mr. Kingston, Mayor of
Grimsby, and his comburgesses, saying that he had
received from them an indenture to the effect that
^^ at his request they had elected his cousin,
Thomas Hussye, for the Parliament to be held at
Oxford, 2 April next, Thanks them, and
promises that Hussye shall take no burgess fee.

The Parliament met at Oxford in April, 1554,
but Thomas Hussey, Esq. sat for Grantham.
Sir W. Asycough and John Heneage sat for
Grimsby.

In a commission of gaol delivery, September
4th, 1592, John Kingston, alderman, is mentioned
with other names. In the Court Rolls, 31 Henry
VIII, there is a deed of John Kyngeston entered
as to a ship called the Anne of Cales, bought of
John Scarlett and Henry Whitgift (the father of
the Archbishop), juror.

I cannot find any special mention of them later
on. It appears that after two generations, the
family name became extinct, ending in a daughter
who was married to Freschevill son of Gervase
Holies, M.p. and historian of Grimsby.

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148 OLD GRIMSBY.

1 561, Martin Fotherby.

He was the son of John Fotherby. I find
nothing special respecting him in the borough
records, but a descendant of his, also named
Martin, son of Maurice Fotherby, was an eminent
scholar, and Fellow of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge. He obtained the degree of D.D., was
made a Canon in the Cathedral Church of Canter-
bury, and at length preferred to the See of Salis-
bury. He published several books, which were
highly esteemed.

Dr John Fotherby, Dean of Canterbury, was
also a native of Grimsby, and left an annuity of
£/\. per annum, payable out of lands at Beesby
and Maplethorpe, ten shillings of which was to be
paid to the officiating minister for preaching a
sermon on Good Friday, and the remainder to be
distributed among the poor communicants of the
churchy at the discretion of the minister, church-
wardens, and overseers of the poor. In the
Corporation Records, '* Charities" Box i, there is
a copy dated 5th July, 1619, of the will of the
above John Fotherby, who is described as of
Little Charte, co. Kent, clerk.

1582, Christopher Hatcliffe.

There is a statement respecting him in one of

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OLD GRIMSBY. 149

the Court Books, in reference to a clergyman who
was charged with having acted seditiously against
Queen Elizabeth, in opposing a proclamation for
the putting down of seditious books. The
following is a copy of the entry: — '* 27 Eliz.
— Mem. that att this Courte it is agreed by the
whole Courte (Xpofer Hutchyf excepte) that Mr
Marke Holte shall putt in his owne bonde for
appeiraunce before Mr Maior when he shall be
called, and that at Everingham in Yorkshire at
the parsonage will he bee.

Also that whereas Marke Holte was in
suspicion for teringe the proclamacon latelie sett
out by her Hiegness for the suppression of
sedicious bookes, or other thinges in consideration
wherof ther was open proclation made that yf any
coulde saye that he tare yt, or that he should
reporte he wold tere it downe, but ther was not
any coulde impeache hym."

1655, William Booth.

In Court Roll, 16 Charles I, I find that " Mr.
Paul Willett, minister and twelveman, requested
Samuel Proctor to present Wm. Booth, maior,
and Gervase Holies, Esq., for laughter in church,
or else he would present him."

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ConMtion of tbe people.

WE can imagine the condition of the
primitive inhabitants of this part from
the records that have come down to us respecting
the early Britons. They have been described as
semi-savages, making the marshes and woods
their homes, and subsisting on berries, acorns,
nuts, and such roots as nature spontaneously
produced. This, however, was only true of the
very earliest inhabitants. The Romans found a
race of warriors worthy of their steel, and it was
long before the conquerors of the world were able
to reduce the island to their rule, which indeed
was never fully accomplished.

History does not consist entirely of written
documents, however valuable their contents may
be. The surface of our country is studded with
historical records, written in the stone, and brick,
and earthworks, which bridge over the period
between the ages before the dawn of history, and
connect them without a break with the living
present. Written history without these, however

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 151

eloquent, would be comparatively tame, spiritless,
and uninteresting."^

From such historical records, numerous in this
neighbourhood, we learn that our British ancestors
were devoted to the exercises of the woods and
fields, and occasionally ventured upon the waters
in vessels of considerable strength, flat-bottomed,
with high prows and sails made of hides, and
fearlessly buffetted the storms of the German
Ocean. Far from being savage and uncivilized,
they were acquainted with several important and
useful arts ; had a fair knowledge of agriculture,
" for they understood the process of marling, and
raised cattle in great numbers." The structures
they reared for worship displayed considerable
mechanical knowledge, whrle the earth works they
raised as memorials of the dead, ** rival the
wonders of modern engineering," while the
manner in which they fashioned and decorated
their chariots and instruments of war, displays
considerable skill and taste.

They were skilful also in forming canoes out of
huge trees, in which they carried on a traffic in
such commodities as they possessed. In the

* See Sir James Picton's address to the British Archaelogical Society,
August 24th, 1882.

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152 OLD GRIMSBY.

spring of 1887, while some men were digging at
the gasworks in Brigg, they came upon a boat of
a very primitive type, embedded in the clay or ,
"warp," seven feet . below the surface. It
measured 48^ feet in length, and about 4^ feet in
wi^th, and three feet in depth. There were signs
of extensive repairs made by having wooden
patches sewed on with small ropes apparantly
made of sinews. A representation of it appeared
in the Illustrated London NiwSy which afterwards
was given with a full account of the discovery in
** Jackson's Brigg Annual" for 1887.

Their religion was Druidism, which taught that
the soul does not perish at death. They offered
human sacrifices to propitiate their gods. Tillers
of the soil came from their wattled huts, hunters
from the recesses of the woods, fishers from their
boats, and gathered in their temples, from whence
** the voice of solemn prayer went up to Heaven
— a voice of solemn memorial to ancestors whose
faith lingered long amidst a purer worship, as the
mistletoe of the Druidical oaks still mingles with
the evergreens of Christmas."

We have already seen — pp. 29-30 — that the
condition of the country under Roman rule was
on the whole prosperous. One of the Roman

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 153

orators described it as a land *' stored with corn

and flourishing in pasturage." As a proof of this

we need not but mention the fact that in one

season six hundred large barks made several

voyages to Britain, and supplied the starving

Rhine provinces, desolated by war, from the

stores of the fertile island.

We have but little authentic information

respecting the condition of the people under the

Danes. That they suffered severely from those

ruthless invaders we have already shown.

Details, however, it is impossible to give.

Stories we have in abundance, but these, on

investigation, turn out to be little better than

" Dreams that the soul of youth engage
Ere fancy has been quelled ;
Old legends of the monkish page,
Traditions of the saint and sage,
Tales that have the rime of age
And chronicles of eld."

We get occasional glimpses of the state
of society before the Conquest from these
''Chronicles of eld," but they are only occasional
and imperfect. What references we have been
able to find we now give in chronological order.

Previous to the Conquest the land was held by
Leofric, the great Earl of Mercia, who ruled with

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154 OLD GRIMSBY.

undisputed sway under what Hallam terms '*the
unfortunate fashion of intrusting great provinces to
the administration of a single earl." The people
were serfs, there being but two denominations
above that condition, Thanes and Ceorls. The
life of a King's Thane was valued at 1,200
shillings, that of the second class at half that sum ;
the life of a Ceorl was valued at 200 shillings.
In some parts of the county the number of slaves
was one in three, but throughout the kingdom
about one in ten. In East Anglia the proportion
was only one in twenty, while in the eastern part
of Mercia, in which Lincolnshire was included,
not a single slave is noticed in the registers of
Domesday Book.

Many of the lower classes were, however,
subject to great hardships. By the law of the
land they were treated as mere chattels, and not
counted as men. They could be bought and sold
with the acres on which they were born and
reared, and compelled to cultivate. By the
accident of birth, the issue of a battle, the result
of a single combat, they w^re liable to be trans-
ferred to owners or proprieters who were complete
strangers. Still, a strong sense of justice
prevailed, and light mingled with the darkness.

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 155

An instinctive sense of right made itself felt, and
the very slave, by patient endurance, cultivated
those solid and resolute qualities which dis-
tinguished the cultivators of the soil, and gave
to the Lincolnshire people a character which
continues to our times.

After the Conquest the land was divided, but
rented to the Crown. Odo, Bishop of Bayeux,
the King's lieutenant, owned a considerable
portion of Grimsby, and ruled with an iron hand,
'* giving no heed to the reasonable complaints of
his subjects, and disdaining '*to weigh them in
the balance of equity." His men-at-arms out-
rageously robbed the people and ill-treated the
women, and there was no punishment but for those
who complained of their wrongs. The people on
the coast line saw a host of ** foreigners" from
over the sea settling upon their lands and dis-
possessing them of their property, which they
claimed by right of conquest.

Hosts of adventurers, who had taken no part in
the conflict, followed the Conqueror, eager to
share in the spoils. For these the people felt
nothing but contempt, and cheered their spirits
with ridiculing the pretensions of the ** inter-
lopers " with a caustic humour, which reminds us

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IS6 OLD GRIMSBY.

of Piers Ploughman. One old ballad, speaking of
the first Lord of Coningsby, says : —

" William de Coningsby,
Came out of Britany,
With his wife Tiffany,
And his maide Maufas,
And his dogge Hardigras."

The condition of the people was not greatly
improved during the first twenty years which
followed the Norman Conquest. The entire land
of the county belonged to the Monarch, and it
was made compulsory on "every tenant-in-chief
to do homage to His Majesty, that every superior
tenant should do homage to his lord ; that every
villein should be the bondmen of the free ; and
that every slave should, without any property
however limited and insecure, be the absolute
chattel of some master."

From Domesday Book we learn that there
were three Manors as follows :— r** In Laceby
(Levesbi), and in Bradley (Bredelou), and in
Scartho (Scarhou), Sweyn, Arich, and Tosti, had
nine carucates of land, rateable to Gelt ; the land
is sixteen carucates. The Bishop of Baieux has
there in the demesne three caruicates, and four
villeins, and five bordars, and eighty-five sokemen

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 157

with thirteen carucates and a half. There are
three churches, each having a priest, and two
mills worth 8s. yearly, and three hundred and
sixty acres of meadow, and one hundred acres
of underwood. In Grimsby (Grimesb), the
customary dues of the ferry there yield 40s.
yearly. The annual value in King Edward^s time
was 12I. ; it is now 30I. In Grimsby, there are
eleven bovates, and in Glee three bovates and a
third of a bovate, and in Itterby (or Cleethorpes)
four bovates, and in Thurnsco seven bovates (of
Land) soke of this manor (together) three
carucates and one bovate of land rateable to gelt :
the land is five carucates and seven bovates ; and
fifty-five sokemen and one villien have there six
carucates, and fifty-four acres of meadow."

There was in Keel by (Chelebivel Cotes or
Coates), a Robert, one of Drogo's vassals, who
had ** salt-works worth i2d yearly.** In Great
Coates (Suelcotes) '*six sokemen had one carucate
and thirty acres of meadow." In Grimsby, ** four
villiens had one ox and a plough, and one acre
of meadow."

Ralph de Mortimer gathered **a new toll
in Grimsby which was not gathered in King
Edwards time." This Ralph de Mortimer was

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158 OLD GRIMSBY.

allied by the mother s side to the Conqueror, and
accompanied him into England. He was one of
the chief commanders in William's victorious
army. He held lands in twelve counties, and
owned about a hundred and thirty lordships.

When Domesday Book was compiled (1086),
Grimsby had a ferry of the annual value of five
shillings, and a salt-pit of sixpence a year. Its
customs in connection with the ferry are put down
as yielding 40s. annually. It had evidently been
a port of some importance for many years.

King John visited Grimsby in the second year
of his reign. In consideration of 55 marks anc
palfrey, that grasping monarch granted to the to\ .1
a charter, in which it was ordained that ** the go i
men of Grimsby should be governed by a May
annually elected ; that they should be exerr
from toll and lastage, stallage, moorage, hausta^j,
and passage, in every town and seaport through-
out England, except in the city of London ; tt"iat
they should not be subject to trial by combat •
that no burgess should be impleded without tl
town, in any pleas but those of foreign teni
that the hustings should be kept once in a we^ '
and that all their debts, loans, and pledges wb^^

should be made, the plea thereupon shoulc^^

I
\

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\

\

r|r

s CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 159

! holden at Grimsby." During the same year the
J King granted to the town a ferry.

In the reign of Henry III., a whale having

been landed at Humberstone upon the fee of the

I Earl of Chester, his men took possession of it.

This led to an inquiry as to whom it rightly

belonged, when they ^' heard that whenever such

kind of fish shall land, the Lord the King ought

,,. to have the head, and the Queen the tail."

. ,. The Earl, who was present, claimed that

f ** whenever such kind of fish shall land upon his

land or fee, that he ought to have it saving to the

prd the King and to the Queen, what are to be

. yed, namely the head and the tail, etc."

From Domesday Book we learn that the town

i a church and a priest. How far the people

^re benefited by these, however, does not appear.

I X ere is historic proof that many of them not

I only undervalued their privileges, but actually

J reused to contribute beyond what the law of the

land compelled them to pay ; for in the archives

^j'^ Lincoln, Anno 1297, it is stated that, ** The

q£ .bitants of Grimesby made an association

,ngst themselves yt no person should pay more

j^ 1;];ie Church than bare dues. Amongst whom

gj^ishop of Lincoln (Oliver Sutton) then being.

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i6o OLD GRIMSBY.

sent out his excommunications to be published by
ye Deane, ye rectors, vicars, and chapleynes of ye
adjoining towns, using these wordes (translated
from the Latin), * These undevout men, ungrate-
ful sons, trying the anger of God, whose mercy
they refuse, and which is far from them, the time
is hastening and is present, as in merit, in zeal,
and in justice/ The prophet exclaims : * The
time is the Lord's to do justice. Thy law have
they altogether destroyed,* etc."

It would seem that this solemn excommuni-
cation had not much effect, for in the same
archive we find that in 1307, "the Mayor and
Burgesses of Grimsby hanged a Priest for theft
called Richard of Nottingham. Hereupon y*" Bp.
sends to y*" Abbot of Wellow to associate to
himselfe twelve adjacent Chapleines to examine
y* cause and in St. James, his Church, excumates
all y^ had any hand in it of whatsover condition
they were, y* King, Queene, and Prince of Wales
excepted, And ye Bishop himself did excom-
municate them in y*" Cathedrale Church of
Lincoln, y* fifth of y* Ides of April following."*

The men of Grimsby appear to have had not

* "Gervas Holies* Collections," Vol. I., British Museum, Lans., MSS.,
207a.

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. i6i

unfrequent disputes with their spiritual instructors,
the religious orders, and there frequently seems to
have been bitter and irreligious quarrels between
them. The Abbot of Wellow built a wall across
the high road leading into the town, as did also
the prioress of St. Leonard's nunnery, and the
master and brothers of the Knight's Templars.
The latter also diverted a water-course, turning it
into a new channel, **for the purpose of depriving
the inhabitants of their usual supply of fresh
water," which was not too plentiful before they
did so.

These military ecclesiastics also took posses-
sion of a windmill, which formed part of the
fee-farm belonging to the Corporation, and at the
same time refused to pay the usual sums to the
Mayor's Court. They even went so far as to
open a court of their own, where they tried all
causes which arose within their precients, after the
manner of the court held by royal charter in the
Abbey of Wellow, thus asserting their independ-
ance both with respect to the municipal and royal
authority. These encroachments excited con-
siderable opposition on the part of the burgesses,
who entered into a league to resist them to the

utmost. They also pledged themselves not to

U

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i62 OLD GRIMSBY.

render any momentary aid to the church beyond
what the law insisted upon.

One of the most valuable sources of information
on the subject of the condition of society is the
the Reprint of the Manuscripts of the Borough,
issued by order of the ** Historical Manuscript s
Commission." It contains extracts of a deeply
interesting characters from Records of the Cor-
poration contained in fourteen tin boxes. From
it we have culled the following reference to the
Borough and its inhabitants. An ordinance of
Henry VI., Octr. 3 (1435) commences thus: —
** In the laude and joy oure Lord Jhu Crist, and
of the most holy moder and vyrgyne oure lady
seynt Mary, and all the holy celestyns of heven,
to the releve and sustentacion of the Kyngs
burgh of Grymesby."

20 Edw. IV. (1481), *'Md that Tyseday the
xxiij" day of Januer in the ze of the rane of Kyng
Edward the forritt xx'' it is confirmed and ordered
by W" Glasyner that the Mair . . . and by
all the Burges of the said towne beyne in the
Hall the forsade day, that no man nor woman shall
be arrest for dett w' in any sewtwarre or Burges
howse of the forsede town, nor for dett, nor for
trespass, on thies daies under written, viz., from

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 163

Zelle Even that none be runge unto the day after
PI ugh day, Candlemas day, fastynggangeven,
from prime forward, from Schere Thoresday at
morne unto the day Senyt, all Crose weyke, the iij
holydaies in Penticost, Corpus Xpiday, Saynt
Austyn day, nor none shall pay tolle that day, or
Mydsomer Even, nor on Saynt Petir even, from
none be runge of Mary Magdelyn, from none be
runge nor of hir day ; but yff any do trespas or
take any thyrng and agrese not w' the parte that
shalbe arrest, and schall to the parte at cuvabyll
tyme than foloyng." (fo. 29).

By an ordinance of Henry VI I. , a.d. 1498,
it was ordained that '* All Geese to be pygoned
so that they cannot fly from the executions of
pinding ; and if they fly away then it shall be
lawful for every man to slay them with shooting,
or any other engine, and they that be lawfully
pinded to pay for every goose one halfpenny."

At that time 120 acres of the unenclosed land
was worth twelve pence annually and not more.
Near the town, three roods of enclosed land let at
two shillings per annum.

The following letter **By the King" Henry
VH., was addressed to the Mayor and Burgesses :
— ** Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you, lating

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i64 OLD GRIMSBY.

you wite that it comen to our knowledge how that
certain cruel and avouable murdres has be late
committed in sundry places in our countie of
Lincoln, in the parties of Lyndesey, and noo
lawful redresse or punisshment had therein.
Wherfor, willing not such detestable offenses to
pass unpunisshed, considering the abhomynabilite
. before the face of God, (we) wol and staitly
commaunde you that in alle haste ye doo the said
murdrers to be enquired of from tyme to tyme
until they may be founde, and that soo doon, ye
see without favor, affecceon, drede or partialite th'
offenders sharply be punisshed after the straitnesse
of our lawes. And that ye fuille not to doo yo''
effectuell diligence herein as ye wol answere befor
God and unto your perilles."

The dissolution of the Monastries was by no
means universally approved. The monks and
others, who were thrust out, had many sympa-
thisers, and their friends did not content them-
selves with mere expressions of sympathy, but
actually broke out into open rebellion against the
king. The story, as far as Lincolnshire was
concerned, may be found in '' Froud s His. Eng.,
Vol. IL" Grimsby and the immediate neighbour-
hood punished the rebels with several adherents,

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 165

some of whom suffered capital punishment.
Among these was the parson of Scartho, who
was hung at Lincoln for taking part in the
movement.

On April 20th, 1494, an Inquisition was taken
at **Ankcastre, by the oath of Robert Bayn-
brygge, John Swynton, John Patman, Henry
Adam, John Gregory, Robert Scymer, William
Gre, . . . Richard Calver, John Cuthbert,
Thomas Godsalve, John Doune, and William
Baxster. Who say that Sir Thomas Scrope,
Knight, held in his demense as of fee, four
messuages, 39s. loj^^d. of annual rent in
Grimesbye, to be received annually by the hands
of divers free tenants there, which are held of the
King in free burgage, as the whole vill of
Grimesby is held."

Rental of Clee.

The following rents were due to the town of
** Grimesby." There is no date, but the previous
entry is 13 Henry VIII.

Furst of Henr* Moyn for -

v.v. viij^/.

It' of the same - - - .

(blank)

It* of the same for Idale in Klee

viij^.

It' of Robert Slownt

iijj. i]d.

It' of Henr' Grimesby

XXU}d.

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i66 OLD GRIMSBY.

It* of Wat' Warne iij^. iiij^.

It* of Thomas Bell i}s. xjd.

It' of the nuns of Grimesby - - - ijs. yd.

It' of the Abbot of Wellow - . . xd.

It' of John Kygier for landes lat Fowler - ijj. viij^.

It' of the same for landes lat Stellion (?) - iiijd.

It' „ „ „ Laceby - i]d, ob.

It' of Hurchyned xvd. ob.

It' of Thomas Curtas ... - xiiij^.

It' of Henr' Coulbe xiiij^.

It' of landes late Cort - - - - xij^.

It' of Margaret Laceby - - - - xijd.

Item of Henr* Dymbleton - . . j//.

Summa totalis xliijs, id.

There is a loose paper in the Court Book (at
fo. 272), without date, the previous entry being 33
Henry VIII., which gives the cost of a charter as
follows. " For Grymesby to pay." The charter
cost.

Item for the scale - . . .

xxs, iiijd.

Item for the velome skynne

xijV.

Item for the lace to the sealer -

ijj.

Item for the two maisters of the Chaun-

cerye for examinacon therof

\}S.

do. do. enroUying -

xxs.

do. do. wrytyng

XXVJ5. viiijW.

do. do. for the fyne of the

said confirmacon

xs.

Summa totalis

\li, ixs.

i

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 167

In 1525, the will of William Bornett, of Alford,
of *'hole mynde and good," in which he did
"bequeth his sowlle to the holy Trynitie of heven
and to our lady Sainct Mary and to all the holy
cumpany of heven," and his ''body to be buried
where as it shall please Almighty God and the
Church to have the Mortuary that the law
giveth," was proved at Grimsby.

From the Parish Register of Hagworthingham
the following item is taken : —

s. d.

* For ye repair to the Haven of Great Grimsby

November ye i6th 1663 . _ _ 20

About 1550, agriculture was in a very deplor-
able state. An acre of good land was let at a
shilling, or about sixteen pence of our money.
Beef and pork were sold at a half-penny a pound,
and mutton and veal at half-a-farthing higher.

In 25 Eliz., it was ordered ** that no manner of
person, beinge a laborer, that doeth or shall come
to dwell and inhabitte within this burroughe shall
not worke as a laborer there before he be admytted
by Mr. Maior and his bretheryne to dwell here

* Grimsby, in the time of the Plantagenets, had been a flourishing port,
and furnished, in 1346, eleven ships and one hundred and seventy-one men
towards the seige of Calais. The harbour was a natural one, and became,
in the seventeenth century, so silted up with mud from the Humber that no
shipping could enter.

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i68 OLD GRIMSBY.

and to worke as a laborer, and paie to the use of
the townes chamber 2s. for his furst admyttance.
Every shoemaker, taler, cobler, glover, smythe,
weaver, tynker, and such like occupacons paye to
the use of the townes chamber for their saide furst
admyttance, yf he be a maried person, 3s. 4d., and
yf he be a syngler person^ 5s. Every pedder 5s,
marcer los, draper ics, and such like occupations,
IDS. each. Every merchant venterrer and such
like, 20s. No owner of property in the borough
to let any house or shop to any person not an
inhabitant of the borough."

There is a curious account in the register for
1586 of the neighbouring church of Ulceby, of a
'*cootrov' sea" respecting the payment of the
parish clerk, ** whether ye wages were for every
farme one strike of Barley, or 4d. in money, and
the vicar and churchwardens did request that old
men of the p'she whot was due and custome :
wherupon Will'm Scott, Henry Joneson, and W""
Wower did saye yt about ix years ago there were
one Peacock and one Parkins Clarkes and they
would come to the p shioners then living and aske
yf thier barley was ready and yf it were not they
wo*^ will them to gyve them 4d. for it, which was
then to their judgements the full price of one

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 169

Strike of barley/' Others testified that for " their
tymes and their father's tymes . . . the barley
which was due to the Clarke yearly by custome
was one penny for every houshold in the March
term at holy water Sunday at ets dayes and at
Easter."

The condition of the town in the earlier part of
the 17th century was most deplorable, as was that
of the country around. April 21st, 1623, writing
to his brother, Sir Edward Conway, ** Principall
Secretary to his Ma'**, and one of his Most Ho :
priory Councell," Sir W. Pelham, for Brocklesby,
whose brother was one of the members for
Grimsby at that time, say :— *' I am now heare
with my sonn to settle some countrie affairr, and
my owne private, which weare never soe burthen-
som unto mee, as now. For manie insufficient
tenants have given upp theyr farmes and scheepe-
walks, soe I am forced to take them into my owne
hands, .and borrow munnie uppon use to stocke
them. Itt draweth mee wholly from a con-
templative life, which I maste affected, and coolde
be moste willing to pass over my whole estate to
the benefite of my children, so I weare freed of
the troble. Our countrie was never in that
wante that now itt is, and more of munnie than

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170 OLD GRIMSBY.

Corne, for there are many thousands in thease
parts whoo have soulde all they have even to
theyt bedd straw, and cann not gett worke to
earne any niunnie. Dogg s flesh is a dainty disch,
and found upon search in many houses, also such
horse flesch as hath laien long in a deke for
hounds, and the other day one stele a scheepe,
whoo for mere hunger tore a legg out, and didd
eate itt raw. All that is most certaine true, and
yette the greate time of scarcity not yette comme.
I schall reijoyce to have a better subject to write
of and expect it with patience."

The above letter is preserved among the State
Papers in the Public Record Office.

12 Charles I. (1636), October 5th. ** Upon
conference betwixt Mr. Maior this Councell for
the raisinge of a stocke for settinge the popre of
Grimsby on worke, beinge many in number and
increasinge much uppon us, it was agreed that the
East Marshes should be lett, etc., and that the
parish should have a particular warninge to be att
the Churche uppon Sunday last att eveninge
prayer, where the said Mr. Maior did then pro-
pound the former intencion before them all/' etc.
Signed by Gervase Holies, Mayor, and many
burgesses.

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 171

August 13th, 1658. ** William Thorold of
Cuxwold, gent, by deed, granted to the Corpor"
for binding poor boys apprentices, a rent charge
out of lands at Scartho, of w^ the deed' recites the
descent by the custom of Borough English."

In an ** Inventorie,'' taken ** May ye 23rd,
1679, of all the goods and chattels of Wm. Smith,
gent., of Elsham, late deceased," we find the
following items : —

9 score of the best weather sheep - - ^£6^ o o

1 20 ewes and lambs - - - . - 36 o o

160 hoggs 29 o o

Four score acres of pease and oats at

I IS. 6d. the acre come to - - 46 o o
etc., etc. Barley was quoted at 171. the acre, wheat and

rye 251. Lintills, 8j. 12 slack calves, j(^4 o o. One
stone coult, ;^i6 o o. Hay los, a load.

In the middle of the sixteenth century, the
population appears to have been considerable, for
the burials averaged over 100 annually. In 1590
they reached 130. The population, therefore, if
the death rate was anything near that of the
present day, would be over 5,000 ; a large
number, when it is remembered that at that time
Lincoln had only 3,500; Hull, 2,000; Boston,
1,000; and Yarmouth, 2,000.

In a journal of the Rev. A. de la Pryme, there

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172 OLD GRIMSBY.

is an account of a visit to Grimsby, October 1 3th,
1697. The writer says, *' Grimsby is at present
but a little poor town, not a quarter as great as
heretofore. The old market-place is lost, and
where they now keep it is in the midst of a
street.'* He assigns three reasons for the decay
of the town. ** First, the destruction of the haven,
which was in former times a fine large river, and
carried large vessels as far as Ailsby. . . .
That which destroyed it was the Humberts
wearing away the huge cliflF at Cleethorpe, and
bringing and casting it all into Grimsby haven or
river, and all along Grimsby coast on the north,
so that the river was not only filled thereby, but
also a hugh bay on the north side of the town in
which ships did formerly ride with the greatest
ease and advantage to the town imaginable.
This bay being thus filled up, and made common
for almost two miles broad, from the town's end
to the Humber, the Mayor and Aldermen
petitioned Queen Elizabeth to bestow this new
land for ever upon them and the town, which she
did."

The second cause he mentions is "the de-
struction of the religious houses,*' and the third,
**the rise of Hull, which having first of all

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CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 173

privileges and advantages above other towns, and
a fine haven to boot, robbed them all, not only of
all traffic but also of their chief tradesmen, which
were sent for and encouraged to live there."

He mentions that *'a public spirited parliament-
man, at Grimsby, one of a noble soul, was seeking
to restore the prosperity of the place, by laying a
new sluice and digging a haven, and promoting
the fishery at the H umber mouth. Towards this
** vast subscriptions were already gotten, some
have subscribed ;^ioo, some ;^ 1,200, and others
even ;^2,ooo a piece, and five large fishing- vessels
also are a-building at Stockwith, and other places
for the town. He is also establishing the woollen
manufactory, and has sent down out of Oxford-
shire a rug and coverlet maker ; and has given

^'^'^ him wool, and his new house three years' rent

inio" free."

^"^ In a MS. collection of notes on Lincolnshire
Topography and Family History, supposed to
have been compiled (circa 1760) by Ralph Big-

^^^ land, there are a number of notes of briefs for the
collection of money for the restoration of churches

"^' in Lincolnshire. Among these is the following : —

rci, " Great Grimsby. — The Parish Church of Great
Grimsby in this county, being a very large and

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!

jatesi

•men
new

all

174 OLD GRIMSBY.

ancient structure of about five hundred yeares
standing, is by length of time very much decayed,
and in the year 1707 there happened a very
violent clap of thunder which struck off several
stones from the steeple and rent the same in two
in several places, and very much weakened the
whole body of the said church, which is now, from
the many great Breaches, Decays, and Defects
therin, in great danger of falling. The charge of
Repairing and Rebuilding the same will be upon
a moderate computation, besides the present
materials, the sum of 1,757 pounds."

Vide Brief dated 9th April, 5 George I. (17 19).

In 1757, there was paid to labourers engaged
in building the first Methodist Chapel in Grimsby
the following sums : — '' Two bricklayers and
two labourers for one week, ;^i 13s. Three
carpenters, five days, j£i 4s. ; one labourer, two
days, 3s. Bricklayers were paid two shillings a
day, carpenters and labourers, eighteen pence ;
and the building, capable of accomodating two
hundred people, cost only £y8.

Provisions, however, were cheap. Prime beef
could be bought at twopence per pound, fine flour
at a shilling a peck, butter at fourpence a pound,
and milk at a penny a quart.

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Google I

CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 175

In 1790, the population was but 982. This,
however, was the lowest point reached. A
scheme for turning the little river Freshney into
the harbour, started at least as early as the reign
of Edward I., was at last carried out by a
company, and a new haven opened in 1800.

Towards the end of the last century, the in-
habitants were greatly alarmed by the reported
intentions of Napoleon to invade this part of the
country, and for a long time the appearance of
French ships in the Humber was constantly
expected. The excitement spread throughout the
county. At Louth, the French eagles were daily
expected, and the market place was cumbered
with waggons and other vehicles, placed there to
be in readiness to convey the families and goods
of the inhabitants into the interior of the country.
Col. Loft's regiment was stationed in the town,
and a Louth Voluntary Infantry was enrolled in
1798, which assembled every Monday and Thurs-
day evening to be trained and exercised for three
hours. Five years later, during another invasion
panic, a still larger force, consisting of four
companies and 400 men, was formed.^

There are many persons still living who re-

* History of Louth. Shepherd, Louth, 1864, pp. 62-3.

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176 OLD GRIMSBY.

member Grimsby when it had only one street,
which was without any well-defined beginning or
end. The houses in it were seperated from each
other by waste spaces, in which a stranger might
have easily lost himself and being in danger of
apprehension by the one constable who constituted
the entire force for the ancient borough.

When the new docks were commenced, it was
prophesied that they would remain one vast and
dreary waste in which oysters would find an
undisturbed resting-place.

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Zbe flDarsbcs.

THERE was a large tract of land on both
sides of the main street known as East and
West Marshes. These were granted to the
Corporation under the name of '* preprestures/'
by King Henry HI., at the instance of Edmund
de Grymesby. They were at that time termed
"waste places," and were overflowed three days
each fortnight by the tide. This, however, was
remedied in the course of time .by the waters
leaving a deposit, which ultimately raised the
land above high water mark, the decomposition
of vegetable matter slowly aiding this result.
The repair of the sea-banks and effective draining
also helped to make those waste places, excellent
pasturage ground. My grandfather, an old
freeman, occupied a portion of the West Marsh,
and when a boy the writer has frequently taken
part in haymaking upon it.

The adjacent country frequently suffered from
the bursting of the sea-banks. During one of

these devastating overflows iioo sheep belonging

12

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178 OLD GRIMSBY.

to one person were drowned between Humber-
stone and Grimsby, and the shepherd in his
efforts to save them shared their fate. Mr.
Pelham lost iioo; Mr. Thimbleby, 220; Mr.
Dymoke, 400; and Mr. Mash, 500. Mr.
Maddison suffered the loss of a large ship with its
cargo. Sir Hugh Ayscough and others lost
20,000 cattle. Sixty vessels with their cargoes
were lost between Grimsby and Boston, and all
the salt cotes, where the finest salt was made,
were completely destroyed. A ** fish," probably a
whale, 19 yards in length, the tail 15 feet broad,
was driven ashore at Grimbsy. 12 men could
stand upright in its mouth.*

The ravages and encroachments made by the
sea affected almost the whole coast from Grimsby
to Skegness. A portion of the parish of Glee,
known by the name of Hole, and mentioned in
hundred rolls with Scartho, Itterby, and Thrunsco
has disappeared as well as Itterby, which was
once a portion of Glee parish.

In our Early Days, we occasionally took a walk
in company with two companions of our own age
along the West H umber Bank, and had to cross
the marshes to reach it. To do this we had to go

♦ (Byrde of Gryme.)

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THE MARSHES. 179

round by Ducking Chair Haven Bridge, pro-
nounced, **duckinsheraven." It was necessary to
select the summer time for our excursions, unless
we were prepared for a severe scolding from our
respective parents on our return for coming
home 'Mabared up with muck." More than one
pair of delicate coloured trousers have I known
rendered utterly unfit for further wear by these
exploits. Our boundary was usually '* Pyeweep
House," which took its name from the large
number of Pewit's found near it. A recent writer
says : — Moist, rush-growing land, is frequently
described as *^ Peewit Land," from the fact that
the Pewit, or Pee-weet as it is sometimes called,
are often seen in such places in search of their
favourite food. It is generally called Py-wipe at
Grimsby. In my youth I knew it by no other
name, though I have since heard it called ^*puet"
or pew-it." There used to be a Py-wipe Inn on
the bank leading to Stallingborough Marshes, and
I remember passing a small public-house bearing
the same name when going from Lincoln to
Saxilby some few years ago.

In Lincolnshire Notes and Queries, Vol. i., p.
55, a curious account is given of the pewit's cry
taken from Ralston's Russian Folk-lore. ** When

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i8o OLD GRIMSBY.

God created the earth and determined to supply
it with seas, lakes, and rivers, He ordered the
birds to convey the water to their appointed
places. They all obeyed except this bird, which
refused to fulfil its duty, saying that it had no need
of seas, lakes, or rivers to slake its thirst. Then
the Lord waxed wrath, and forbade it and its
posterity ever to approach a sea or stream,
allowing it to quench it thirst only with that water
which remains in hollows, or among stones after
rain. From that time it has never ceased its
wailing cry of 'drink, drink, peet, peet.' "

On May 24th, 1849, an Act was passed **for
the Management and Disposal of the Freeman's
pastures in the East Marsh, Little Field, and Hay
Croft, and for other purposes." This arose from
the M. S. & L. Railway Company having
** purchased and taken a portion of such pastures."
The purchase money was invested in the purchase
of ;^ 19, 263 9s. 2d. per centum annuities. The
Act made provision for the Management and
Occupation of Pastures, the term '* Pastures "
being defined as **such parts of such Pastures
called the East Marsh, Little Field, and Hay
Croft, as have not been taken by the M. S. & L.
Railway Company, with their rights, members

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THE MARSHES. i8i

and appurtenances. It also defined the word
*' Freeman " to mean, *^ the Freeman and Widows
of Freemen of the borough." The expression,
** enrolled Freemen," shall mean **the Freemen
who names are included in the Pasture Roll for
the time being in force." It also enacted that the
Town Clerk should make out a list of Freemen
yearly, and post the same, which should be open
to inspection to any person, without payment of
fee, at all reasonable hours between the 5 th and
15th days of September (Sundays excepted) in
every year. Any person to be furnished with a
copy, on payment of a sum not exceeding one
shilling for each copy.

Any person claiming to have his name inserted
in such list must on or before the 15th of
September in every year, give notice thereof in
writing to the Town Clerk. Any Freeman whose
name is on such list may object to any other
person as not entitled to have his name retained
on such list, but must give notice in writing to the
Town Clerk, and to the person objected to.

Provision was also made for tlje meeting of
enrolled Freemen annually, on the first Monday
in November, special meetings, and many other
matters.

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i82 OLD GRIMSBY.

None of the recent settlers in Grimbsy can
form any idea of what those marshes were like,
from their present appearance. The old land-
marks are gone, and where reeds and rushes once
grew, shops and houses now stand. The writer
owns a house in Watkin Street, in the garden of
which, when a boy, he often fished for eels, and
not without success.

The land itself is considerably higher than it
once was. Mr. A. Bates states that a con-
siderable elevation has taken place during the
present century. In 1863 some posts were found
in an upright position, the tops of which were
about seven feet below the surface of the road.
The discovery was made by some men while
digging in the cellar of the house at the corner
of Riby Street.

These marshes afforded a scant pasturage for
cattle, and but few of these were to be found upon
them, but they were the home of large numbers
of geese, which, according to the Rev. J. Wild,
were troublesome commoners, being prone to
visit, uninvited, the pastures of their neighbours,
and manifested a decided objection to the
pinfold in which the Town Pinder felt it his
imperative duty to impound them. They took

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THE MARSHES. 183

wing and flew far beyond his reach, which so
exasperated him that he pursuaded the authorities
to pass a rule and ordinance that they should be
pynoned to prevent them from '* flying from the
execution of pinding.""*

The extent of the Marshes was as follows : —

West Marsh

197 Acres

East Marsh

172 „

West Fitties

49 »»

East Fitties

80 „

498 Acres

For a long period the marsh land between the
Town and the H umber was rented of the Crown
as part of the fee farm, and the burgesses had no
power either to enclose or improve it, and
frequent disputes arose between the latter and the
Crown respecting alleged encroachments by the
towns-people. At length, Edward III., in 1331,
granted by charter to the burgesses, all void
places and wastes with appurtenances in Grimbsy
at a rent of 3s. yearly, a grant by which a vast
amount of what is now, highly valuable property,
is possessed by the burgesses.

The East Marsh commenced at the end of

See page 163.

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1 84 OLD GRIMSBY.

Haven Street, where the principal merchants
resided, and New Street, where there was a
Town's Bridge, named Seymour White Bridge,
which, crossing the Haven, gave access to the
Marsh. In 1800, when the New Dock was
opened, which had cost about ;^ 100,000, the
Corporation laid out part of the Marsh, parellel
with it, and formed three streets, now called
Victoria Street, Burgess Street, and King
Edward Street. To encourage persons to build,
a plot of 360 square yards was allotted to each
Freeman for 99 years, an annual rent of 5s. being
reserved. These plots were afterwards made
freehold, subject to the rent.

These privileges led to numerous houses being
built, differing in height, size, and appearance, and
standing at irregular distances from each other.

The Corporation, in order to facilitate trade
and private accommodation for yards and ware-
houses, also set out a large portion of land by the
side of the dock, next Loft Street, which was soon
occupied in part, though some remained waste and
unenclosed until after 1853, and much later.

Loft Street was named after General Loft on
his becoming member for the borough; but in 1854
it was re-named Victoria Street in honour of Her

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y Y ■: \:

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THE MARSHES. 185

Majesty's visit to open the New Dock. It
terminated at what is now the junction of Victoria
Street and Cleethorpe Road, where a Toll Bar
was erected, which was removed in 1 807 to the
bridge over the Marsh drain, near where the
Royal Hotel now stands, and afterwards removed
to the end of King Edward Street, where it
remained until it was abolished, some time after
the present New Docks were opened. Well do
we remember the dissatisfaction that prevailed
among the numerous residents on the further side
of it, at having to pay toll on every cart load of
coal or goods which had to pass through it.

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£Icction0«

THE first Parliament for England met
January 20th, 1265. A Council of the
principal landowners, secular and ecclesiastic,
had existed from Anglo Saxon times, and some
writers hold that the Commons were to some
extent represented in it. It was not, however,
until the reign of Henry HI., that a parliament
was summoned in which there was to be two
knights for each county, and two citizens for
every borough. Whether Grimsby was re-
presented in the first Parliament or not we cannot
say, but according to Oliver s list two burgesses
were returned in 1295, but their names are not
mentioned. In 1298 Johannes Elmed and
Gilbertus Wyom were elected.

Theoretically the electors were no doubt
supposed to be " Free and Independent," but
persons were recommended by letters to the
sheriffs, and elected as knights for different
shires, all of whom belonged to the court or were
in places of trust about the King.

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ELECTIONS. 187

Mary issued a circular before the Parliament of
1554, directing the sheriffs to admonish the
electors to choose good catholics and "in-
habitants," while the Earl of Sussex, one of her
most active counsellors, wrote to the gentlemen
of Norfolk and to the burgesses of Yarmouth,
requesting them to reserve their voices for the
person he should name.'**'

The following letters show that the nobility in
ancient times were not prohibited from meddling
with elections. The first was written by John
Viscount Beaumont, and was addressed, ** To my
right trusty and welbeloved the Mayer and
Bailyfs of Grymesby be this delivered." There
is no date but it was written before 1459.

" Right trusty and welbeloved, I grete you
wel. And forasmuch as it is supposed that there
shall now hastily ben a Parlemment, which if it
so shall be I pray you right hertely, considered
that my right trusty and welbeloved servaunt
Rauff Chandeler is like newely to ben maund in
yo'' town at Grymsby, wherfor of reson he should
rather shewe his diligence in suche as shall be
thought spedefull for the wele of yo' said town
thaune sum other straung persone, y* may like

* Strype III., 155, Burnet II., 228.

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i88 OLD GRIMSBY.

you for, my sake in yo' eleccion for yo' Burgeises
of yo' said towne to graunte yo' good will and
voys to my said servaunt to th entent that he
myght be oon of yo' Burgeises to apere for yo''
said town in the said Parlement. And such as I
may do for you I shall at all tymes the rather
perfourme to my power, as knoweth God, which
have you ever in keping. Written at Eppeworth
the XV day of Decembre. John Viscount Beau-
mont."

The writer was no doubt the Lord Beaumont
who was killed at the Battle of Northampton in
July 1460, when the Yorkists were victorious and
the King's forces were utterly routed, and
Buckingham, Egremont, and Beaumont, the most
strenuous of his adherents were slain.

What the effect of the letter was we cannot
say as the Parliamentary list for 1460 only
mentions one name that of Johannes Sherriff as
member, although the list for more than seventy
years previous to that year had two members for
each election, and for several years afterwards.
The following letter, on a similar occasion, was
from Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland. " Right
welbeloved, I recommaunde me unto yowe. And
whereas I understande that youre towne of

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ELECTIONS. 189

Grymesbye must send up to the Parliment two
Burgesses of the same, wheche if ye do so wolle
be to you no littill charge in susteanying the'
costis and expensis ; wherefor, aswell for the
welle of youre seid towne as other speciall causys,
I advise and hartely requyre you to send unto my
hondes your wrytte directed for the electionne of
the said Burgessis, wheche I shall cause to be
substauncially retoorned, and appoint ij of my
counsale to be Burgessis for your seid towne, who
shall not only regarde and set forward the welle
of the same in suche causis, if ye have any, as ye
shall advertise me theym upon, but also
dymmynsshe yor charges of olde tyme conswete
ask for the sustentacionne of there said costes.
And in this doing ye shall shewe unto me a
singuler pleasure, and unto yo"" selffis convenient
proffit ; wherof I efftsons hartely requyre yowe
not to faile as ye intend to have my goode wylle
and favo' in like manor shewed accordingly. Thus
hartely fare ye well. At my Castell of Braunce-
path, this xvjth day of September, yours assured,
Rauff Westmorland."

In a letter dated October 19th, 1554, from Sir
Francis Ayscough, Sheriff of Lincolnshire, to the
Mayor and Burgesses of Grimsby, he stated that

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I90 OLD GRIMSBY.

he had received a writ from the King and Queen
(Philip and Mary), for (election for Parliament at
Westminster on 12th November, next, and also a
letter from the Queen commanding him to
admonish the Burgesses to choose an inhabitant
of their own town ** and of the wysest, grave
and catholycke sort, syche as in deyd meyne
the trew honer of god w*^ the prosperyte of the
comen welthe." Here is another letter on the
same subject from Sir F. Ayscough : — December
3rd (1557?). **Aftef harty commendacions,
wheras I ame enformed that ther will be a
Parliment holden immediately after Christenmas,
wherfor I shall require you at this my request to
chuse for one of yo' burgeses Xpofer Winch,
esquire, who ys a man very mete for the same,
being both wise and well-learned, and able fully to
dyscharge that ofifyce. And yf yo" have anything
to do with my Lord of Westmorland, as I suppose
you have, he may do as much with him as any
man, for he ys of his counsayll. And yf you do
chuse him now at my request, the towneship
shall have a great treasure of him, and lykewise I
fro my parte shalbe glad to do for yo" anything
that lyeth in my power. Thus fare ye well.
From Lyncoln, the iij day of Decembre^, yours,

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ELECTIONS. 191

Francis Ayscough. I will undertake for him he
shall take no fees of yo" for being burgeyse."'^

There is also a letter from Sir Robert Tyrwhyt,
dated January 8th, 1558-9, to the ** Right
Worshipfull and my lovyng fryndes Mr. Mayor of
Grymsby and to the rest of his Brethren, which
states * that * he is requested by his very good
Lord, my Lord Clynton earnestly to require them
to commit the nomination of one of the Burgesses
for Parliament to his lordshipy and my lord will
appoint ^MQ^Ci a gentleman as shall be able very
honestly to supply the office and put the town to
no charges. And for my brother Marmaduke, I
have stayd hym that he shall make no further
sewtt to yow for the same."

In his printed List of Members for 1558-9,
Oliver gives, ** John Bellow, Aid." only. He
had represented the town along with George
Henage, in 1553. Ambrose Sutton, 1554.
Thomas Constable, 1554-5, and Marmaduke
Tyrwhyt, 1556. There is a letter dated Sunday,
Helinge, from Francis Mussynden to ** the right
worshipfull Mr. Mighell Empringham, the Quen's
Majesties Leifetennaunt of the town of Grymsbye,"
stating that he had been with his father-in-law,

* I cannot find any mention of a Winch being returned.

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192 OLD GRIMSBY.

" S' Francis Ayscowghe at Lincoln, and he
would desire you to choose for Parliament my
uncle, Mr. George Skipwick, and Mr. William
Macrbeyre, whom he doth think very fit men for
the purpose." He desires them certify him by
the bearer, as he means to speak with his father-
in-law the next day.

The question of fees appears to have been an
important one with the electors ; for in a letter
from Robert Halton written ** Frome my chambre
in th' Inner Temple," he says that he understands
that a Parliament is to be summoned, and asks to
be elected one of the Burgesses, promises various
services in return, and to ** require no expensis,
except you se cause frely to consyder me w***
some smalle pleasure;" and in 1562 Lord Clyton
himself wrote asking the Mayor and Burgesses to
elect Mr. Edward Tarrat, a very discreet gentle-
man, and one ready to further their interests
without putting them to any charge.

Other letters on similar occasions are couched
in similar terms and make similar promises.

There does not appear to have been any strong
political rivalry in the Borough, long before the
passing of the Reform Bill. The two parties
were known as Reds and Blues. The Blues, as

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ELECTIONS. 193

I first remember them, were liberals or adherents
of the house of Brocklesby, whose nominees had
for some time represented the '*free and in-
dependent electors." The rivalry between Reds
and Blues was certainly strong and could not well
have been more fierce. To such an extent was
this feeling carried that there were two packets
running from Grimsby to Hull and back, with
chimneys painted the colour of the party they
represented. Well do I recollect the red funnel
of the Sovereign and the blue one of the Pelham.
Many persons would not go in the opposition
boat on any account. Instances occur to my
recollection of men losing their boat and
returning home, though the other was about to
start, and their business was of importance.

This feeling of rivalry extended to every
department of social and business life. There
were red and blue tailors, red and blue drapers,
red and blue doctors, red and blue lawyers, even
red and blue parsons, and red and blue black-
smiths and whitesmiths, butchers, bakers, and
every other kind. The** Reds" were generally
in opposition, and consisted principally of non-
officials and '* independents," as they preferred to

be styled. Though the ** Blues'' occupied most

13

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194 OLD GRIMSBY.

of the public offices, and dominated the Town
Council the polling was frequently very close,
and ther majority small. For instance, in 1666 it
was four, in 1667 three. In 1 681 it had risen to
five, and in 1702 to six. For many subsequent
years it was comparatively large, one candidate in
one election only polling nine votes, In 1790
the majority again fell to five, while in 1796 the
numbers ran so close that the two members
returned were each elected by only one vote
above the third candidate, and three above the
fourth. It may not be uninteresting to give the
exact figures —

Ayscoughe Boucherett - - 131

William Mellish - - - 131

John Henry Loft - • - 130

Robert Home Gordon - - 128

Six years afterwards Mr. Loft headed the poll
with a majority of three over Mr. Boucherett,
who was second with a majority of one, over
William Mellish and Robert Sewell, who each
polled the same number of votes (143). A
petition followed when the result was reversed,
and Boucherett and Mellish were declared elected
by 147 and 146, to 137 and 134. At the next
election which took place in 1807, Charles A.

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ELECTIONS. 195

Pelham was elected by 138 to John Henry Loft
137. In 181 2 the change was remarkable as the
returns are, John Peter Grant 219, John Henry
Loft 97.

In the early part of its history as a Parlia-
mentary Borough, the number of electors was
very small and continued so for a long period.
As late as 1689 two members were returned by
twenty-seven each, while the unsuccessful can-
didate polled twenty-two, and up to 1784 the poll
never reached 100, and it was not until 18 12 that
it was 200, and in 1831, the year before the
Reform Bill became law, it was only 182 and 181
for the two candidates returned, and it was not
before 1852 that it was above 300.

It is not surprising that under such circum-
stances bribery should have been prevalent.
When the Court or leaders of a party were
specially anxious for the return of their nominees,
they would be under the temptation to spend
freely to secure their object. The same applies
to the candidates anxious to enter the House of
Commons. The consequence was that every
conceivable form of bribery existed. Votes had a
fixed market value. My maternal grandmother
has told me that when occupying a position of

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196 OLD GRIMSBY.

trust at the Queen's Head, she sat for several
hours one election day in a cellar, and gave a
parcel containing a hundred sovereigns to each
person who passed through the cellar, without
seeing the faces of the recipients who passed
through an aperture which had been made by
breaking a hole in the wall, which allowed them
to go out another way to that at which they
entered. The practice of paying for votes was so
common that many fortunate possessors of the
privilege considered it a property which they
were wise to make the most of

For a long time the borough was notorious for
elections characterised by open bribery and
unblushing corruption. The most remarkable
was the one known as Pole and Wood's election
in 1790. It is described to by Dr. Oliver and
referred to by Mr. Bates, but a brief account is
necessary to give the reader anything like a
correct idea of the state of things once prevalent
in the borough. It lasted nine months during
which time the public houses were open day and
night, and so freely did the electors avail
themselves of their privileges that one fourth of
them killed themselves before its close. ;^8o,ooo
was spent on both sides. One of the candidates,

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ELECTIONS. 197

Mr. Pole, a London banker, during his canvas
scattered money in the streets as he passed along,
for the independent freemen to pick up. Not-
withstanding this profuse liberality he found himself
left out in the cold by a minority of five. The
polling was remarkably equal, the figures being —

John Harrison - - - 140

Dudley North - - - 140

Hon. William Westley Pole - - 135

Robert Wood - - - 135

A petition followed which was heard before a
committee at the House of Commons, which sat
over five weeks and examined fifty-three
witnesses, from whose evidence it appeared that
bribes were given varying in amount from ;^,20 to
;^250. Not only beer, but beef was given away,
oxen being roasted, cut up and distributed freely,
and in some cases living animals were presented
as bribes.

The result was, the election was declared void
and the persons elected unseated, and re-elected
without opposition.

One of the peculiar elements in elections in old
Grimsby previous to the passing of the Reform
Bill in 1832, was the special privileges enjoyed by
the freeman, and the singular manner in which

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198 OLD GRIMSBY.

these privileges were obtained. There were
three different ways — by birth, by apprenticeship,
or by marriage. In the first case, every son of a
freeman, born in wedlock, was entitled to the
rights of freeman on attaining his majority. In
the second instance, a young man who had served
seven years' apprenticeship to a freeman could
claim the same privilege on obtaining his inden-
tures ; and lastly, any man, not himself a freeman,
could be made free — paradoxical as it may appear
— by entering into the bonds of matrimony with
the daughter of a freeman. This power of
investing their slaves with municipal liberty by
the women of Gringleby had been held by them
from the days of **Good Queen Bess," who it is
generally allowed conferred this singular favour
upon their maternal ancestors during one of her
visits to the town. If the traditions of the
borough are to be credited, this act arose out of
the admiration the immaculate maiden Queen felt
for their comely looks and matchless virtues. It
is true that the inhabitants of a neighbouring and
rival seaport maliciously asserted that the fav^
was owing to the sisterly sympathy and womani
compassion of the tender-hearted monarch, wh ♦^
they declared, was, while riding through the to '

and
lanhUl

10,

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Googt

ELECTIONS. 199

so struck with their remarkable ug , well, we

will not say that, but plainness, to use a softer
word — that she conferred the privilege upon
them to help them to get husbands, as it appeared
highly improbable that any body would marry
them for their own sakes. This, ' we need
scarcely say, we look upon as a most abominable
and unjustifiable slander. But, however, the
right was conferred, there is no doubt about its
being possessed. My father was free in each of
these three ways. He was born free, served
seven years' apprenticeship to his uncle Alderman
Kennington, and married the daughter of an old
freeman, Mr. Jabez Robinson, plumber and glazier.
It was not only possible to obtain this privilege
by marriage, but it was frequently so acquired,
and as in those days a non-freeman could marry
a freeman's widow or daughter, and immediately
after the ceremony take up his freedom and
vote. Some curious incidents occurred. Matches
arising out of political necessity between non-
. freemen and freemen's daughters were sometimes
made without consulting the ladies concerned. Mr.
Anderson Bates mentions a case in which the

1 housekeeper of a Mr. Nundy was so disposed of.

tt " On Nundy going home one afternoon, he said

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200 OLD GRIMSBY.

to her, * Mary, I am told you are to be married
to-morrow morning." She replied ** Fse sure I
don't know, maister, but Til ask old Molly
Wharton, she'll know." After an interview with
Molly, the housekeeper said to her master, " Sure
maister, it's true, Molly Wharton says I'm to be
married to-morrow morning at ten o'clock."
Molly was mistress of the Old King s Head, and
was well known to the writer who was a nephew
of the old lady's. She will be further described
when we come to notice some of the odd
characters of the old Town.

When elections ran close, eligible parties were
carefully looked after, and if on the side of those
who discovered them, pressed into service, but if
not, were prevented by force, when necessary and
possible, from helping the enemy. In some cases
marriage was prevented as well as promoted, as
political exigences required. One lady was
locked up until after the election, the intended
bridegroom refusing /^^o to postpone the happy
day. Another bridegroom, in anticipation, was
inveigled into a fishing vessel and carried out to
sea, and prevented from landing until it was too
late to vote. Such occurrences were not in-
frequent with ordinary voters.

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ELECTIONS. 20I

Great care had to be exercised in bringing
these political weddings to a successful conclusion,
as occasionally the parties were liable to gib.
Mr. Bates gives a case where **the bride was
escorted to church between two political partisans,
and Billy Abbott, the bridegroom, was taken by
others, so that he could not observe the bride's
imperfections. A previous arrangement had
been made with Abbott for a consideration, and
without courtship. In leaving the church after
the ceremony, with his bride on his arm, and
noticing a halt in her gait, Billy said, * Ailsie, my
dear, art thou lame ? ' She replied, * Yes, Billy, I
am.' She had a wooden leg."

The ** consideration," and the circumstances
which led to it have been given by the writer in
one of his earliest works, under the heading,
" How Tommy Turnabout won an Election and
a Wife at the same time." We give the
substance of the story which was written from our
recollections of it as we heard it told by a vener-
able ancestor as he sat in the hayfield surrounded
by three or four old cronies, who like himself
ranked at the time among the oldest living
Grimbarians.*

* In our version che real names are disguised.

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202 OLD GRIMSBY.

Tommy Turnabout when we first knew him was
a freeman of the honourable borough of Great
Gringleby. In this ancient seaport the honours
and emoluments of freedomship could be obtained
in more ways than one. . . Tommy obtained
his in a somewhat singular manner. He was not
born free nor did he purchase his freedom by a
seven years' servitude. His exaltation happened
on this wise. The free people of the place were
in the midst of a most exciting parliamentary
election. It was one of the severest contests that
had been known for many years, and the borough
had been the scene of several remarkable ones.
First of all, the pious electors had been horrified
to hear that the nominee of the great house of
Bucklesby was in favour of Catholic Emancipation,
as he and his party described it, but of Catholic
Supremacy, as his opponents termed it. Instantly
the town took fire. A public meeting was held in
the Market-place, at which the electors were
informed that if the measure passed into law the
days of Bloody Mary would return, and the fires
of Smithfield again re-lighted. Added to the
loss of their religious rights, the ladies were told
that a Catholic Government would be sure to
abolish at once the peculiar privileges granted to

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ELECTIONS. 203

their great great-grandmothers by the staunch
defender of virgins and Protestantism. Memorable
were the speeches delivered, and the substance of
the spirit-stirring addresses lingers in the memories
of some of the younger warriors who took part
in that fierce fight to the present day. But the
most memorable of all was the noble and
impassioned address of Bigby, the Mayor, Rising
to the dignity of the occasion, and the grandeur of
the crisis, he exclaimed, ** Men of Gringleby, I
call upon you by all that is great and good, grand
and glorious, to be true to your religion and your
town ! From the towering pinnacles of that lofty
and noble structure where from time immemorial
our fathers have wept and worshipped, three
centuries look down upon us who are assembled
here this day. Borne on the breeze that blows
along three hundred years of time, there comes the
Burning, Bravery-begetting voice of Brown^ who
Boldly Braved the Brazen Bonds of a Braggart
and Bloated church. Standing where I do I seem
to hea,r, rolling round the square of this Right
Royal Town, the reverberations of the resolute
voice of Robinson, who, rather than rob his
posterity of their Religious Rights, Regarded not
the Rage of Romish Renegades, but Ran his Race

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204 OLD GRIMSBY.

in Rectitude and Righteousness, Raising a light
which Radiates amongst us yet with wider and yet
wider Range ! And, coming up from the green
sods of that sacred repository of the slumbering
dust of our venerated ancestors, I catch the more
subdued tones of a host of noble men more lately
and more recently deceased, joining their voices
with those of the remoter past, and calling upon
you to resist a wretched system which leaves your
elders to go down in dreary darkness, desolate, to
the dread abodes of death ; makes your women
slaves of a selfish superstition, and furnishes no
moral pabulum or intellectual nutrition whatever
for the adolescent minds of the young and rising
generation."

Taking advantage of the perfect storm of cheers
which followed this magnificent peroration, his
worship — who was getting, as one of his hearers
somewhat irreverently remarked, '* rather short of
puff'* — took a biscuit and a drop of "something
refreshing," and then, emboldened by his previous
success, continued : '' Men of Gringleby ! Shall
these things be ? Will you allow your rights and
liberties to be ruthlessly riven from you ? No !
Never! Your loud shouts, your ringing cheers,
your vociferous acclamations, say Never! Never I

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ELECTIONS. 20S

Shout, men and brethren, shout, till wafted over
the wide waters of our broad and beauteous
H umber the voice of freedom wakes from their
slumbers the Hucksters of Hull, the Herdsmen of
Hedon, the Burgesses of Beverley, the Sailors of
Scarborough, the Scavengers of Sunderland, and
the Noodles of Newcastle ! Shout, ye lovers of
the right and true, until carried on the winds that
travel southward, your cry of coming conquest
makes the Greatest of Grantham, the Boldest of
Boston, the Noisiest of Newark, and the Proudest
of Peterborough bite the dust! Shout! until the
down-trodden people rise to the dignity of true-
born sons of Britain. I see from the altitude on
which I stand — already from the lofty position I
occupy I behold the voters walking up to duty.
The Lowliest of Louth lift up their heads, the
Grown-down of Grantham spring to real greatness,
and the Poor People of Peterborough put off
puerile Popery, and put on Protestant power.
Already I hear the cry of the new-born sons of
freedom : —

The dwellers in the boroughs long enslaved.
Shout to the counties now enslaved no more.
Swift as the lightning-flash the message runs, —
From town to town the joyous tidings spread ;

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2o6 OLD GRIMSBY.

Till far-off cities catch the glorious sound,

And the glad tidings roll our grand old Island round.

Come that blessed day, and then will I willingly
resign my robes and chain of office, and retire
into the sanctity of private life ! "

Such a speech as this was irresistible. True,
one or two carping critics said it was a clever
adaptation of a speech his worship had delivered a
few days before, on the occasion of his taking the
chair at a great missionary meeting ; but no one
heeded these sons of Belial in the general excite-
ment. The speech aroused the women, and they
aroused the men. An opposition candidate came
down, public-houses were opened, beer flowed in
torrents, and drunken electors hiccupped out their
determination to defend their church and king
against the pope and the great house of Bucklesby.
Amongst the staunchest defenders of His Majesty
and the true faith was Tommy Turnabout, who
stood up for the King as a matter of course, and
for the church because he was born in it. Tommy,
though not an elector, a misfortune he deeply
deplored, worked hard for his party, who certainly
did their best, and made a hard fight of it. As
the election progressed, it was seen that the
numbers would be very close. With the exception

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1

ELECTIONS. 207

of a few waverers, who were waiting to see ** which
side would pay best/* nearly every man had
promised his vote ; and as had usually been the
case in previous elections, not a man deserted his
party or " changed his coat." During the early
part of the contest the ** Blues" headed the poll ;
but subsequently the Protestant defenders of our
hearths and homes placed their candidate seven or
eight ahead of the foe. Then the other side took
the alarm. Money, which had been spent pretty
freely before, was now spent more freely than ever ;
and votes which had *' ruled" at twenty pounds
each, now fetched a hundred guineas.* Gentle-
men canvassing from house to house suddenly
discovered that articles which up to that time had
been considered of only ordinary value, were
*' worth their weight in gold." One was so taken
with the wonderful singing of a canary that he
readily gave ;^50 for it. Another discovered that
a cracked teapot was of a very rare pattern, and
though fourscore guineas was asked for it, paid
the money without a murmur. Whether the fact
of their becoming owners of property made them

* This price was frequently paid. In what is now called the ** Old
Town," there is a large number of houses built on slightly rising ground,
known as ** Red Hill," a name said to be derived from the fact that many
of the houses were built with money paid for votes by the ** Reds."

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2o8 OLD GRIMSBY.

feel that they had an interest in Parliamentary
matters or not, we cannot say ; but certainly, those
who had previously declared *' that it didn't matter
to them which side got in," suddenly felt it to be
their duty to do their best to preserve the time-
honoured institutions of their county. When the
last day but one of the election came the numbers
polled on each side were equal, and every available
elector had given his vote except one, who having
taken jC lOO from each side had ** made himself
scarce," as he feared the mob. What was to be
done ? The orthodox electors were at their wits'
end, and the Mayor anxiously asked "if no man
could be found to save the honour of his ancient
town, and preserve the liberties of his imperilled
country." Alas ! no response was made to his
fervent appeal. Darkness covered the faces of
the community, and even the bacchanalian shouts
of the free and independent electors were stilled
for a while. At length the terrible suspense was
ended, and the genius of one man averted the
disgrace that threatened the loyal borough. The
name of this deliverer was Mr. William Bubbles,
or *' Billy Bubbles," as he was commonly called by
the vulgar.

The manner in which this deliverance was

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ELECTIONS. 209

achieved was as follows : Different suggestions
had been made, but declared to be impracticable,
and the members of the Central Committee sat
for some time without anyone venturing to resume
the subject. At length Billy, who had remained
silent during the greater part of the discussion,
suddenly arose and exclaimed, **Come, this will
never do ! What, we are surely not going to give
in without an effort. This is not a time to sit still
while the ship of state is on her beam-ends. Now
is the time for every lover of his country to show
his patriotism, not by words, but by deeds. We
must all be willing to make common sacrifices for
the public good. Remember, men of Grimsby,
the address of our noble Mayor. Remember your
glorious history. Shame not your fathers ! Rob
not your children ! Desert not your country in her
hour of need !

" Where is the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own my native " —

Whether Billy was about to add town or Country

will, unfortunately, never be known, for just as

he was approaching the climax of his quotation

a tipsy member cried out, ** Hear ! hear ! !

Hoorah ! ! ! " which so disconcerted him that,

U

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a 10 OLD GRIMSBY.

turning suddenly round, he gave the interrupter a
blow which sent him ** spinning ' to the other side
of the room, who, on recovering himself, was about
to return the compliment, when he was seized by
his compatriots and hurried out of the place. As
soon as silence had been restored, the chairman,
assuming one of his blandest smiles, said: ** As
friend Bubbles has shown us that he is a man of
deeds as well as a man of words, perhaps he will be
kind enough to tell us what it was he was going to
propose when he rose to his feet."

Thus appealed to, Billy replied : ** Well, sir, as
I was saying when I was so unceremoniously and
unnecessarily interrupted, this is a time when every
lover of his country must be prepared to show that
he is willing to make sacrifices for the general weal,
and to prove that that is the case with me I am
ready to suffer in the tenderest part. Gentlemen !
several of you are fathers — fathers — ^gentlemen."
Here the chairman coughed, while others showed
similar signs of impatience. ** Well, not to detain
you, allow me to say that I, like Jephthah, am
willing to sacrifice my daughter for the common
good." Here the company opened their eyes ;
but Bubbles, pursuing the even tenor of his way,
continued : *' She's not very young, nor perhaps

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ELECTIONS. 211

very handsome, and may-be she s a bit of a temper,
but she's no worse for that ; and, though I say it,
she will make any man who knows how to humour
heVy a real good wife.^ Now, I've saved a bit of
brass, not a deal, to be sure, but anyhow I can
spare her a hundred ; and what I propose is, that
the committee give her another hundred, and
Tommy Turnabout marry her to-morrow morning,
and have the money paid to him as soon as he has
given us his vote. What do you say to it ?"

** Agreed," cried several of the members
simultaneously, ** if the proposition suits Tommy.
What do you say to it, old boy ?"

** We-1-1," said Tommy, " its ra-ther a serious
matter. I've never seen Mrs. — I beg pardon, I
mean Miss Bubbles, and there's so little time to
consider. Besides, may-be she'll not be willing !"

" O, she'll be all right," said Bubbles.

** We-1-1," observed Tommy, **a man mustn't
stand on niceties at such times as these ; besides,
one mud do worse. It might have been a widow
with a lot of children."

*' And, then, there's the two hundred pounds,"
said the chairman.

*' To be sure ; and no doubt the money will be
useful," said Tommy.

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3if OLD GRIMSBY.

. ** Then we must be ofif directly," said Bubbles,
**and get a licence at once, for there's no time to
lose. So stir your pegs a bit, old fellow, and don't
crawl along as if you had been brought up in
Slitherpoke Lane."

Thus appealed to, Tommy followed his intended
father-in-law with the meekness of a lamb that is
being led to the slaughter.

Next morning, Tommy, escorted by a select
body-guard, who attended him to see that he was
'*kept all right," was taken to church in a cab, where
he took Miss Bubbles for better or worse ; and at
the close of the ceremony was driven, armed with
his marriage lines, to the office of the town clerk,
where he ** took up his freedom," and immediately
proceeded to the polling-booth and voted for the
popular candidate. His was the last vote recorded
and at the close of the poll it was found that the
defender of that much assailed and somewhat
inexplicable thing called the ** British Constitution,"
had been elected by a majority of one.

One amusing circumstance connected with the
wedding is worth recording. On leaving the vestry
Tommy gallantly offered his arm. to his bride, and
escorted her to the cab. While she was
endeavouring to get into it he noticed, for the first

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ELECTIONS. 1213

time, that she limped, and exclaimed, in a tone
of mingled surprise and disappointment ** Betsy,
my dear, are you lame ?" This unfortunate
expression was at once caught up by the crowd of
irreverent youths who clustered around the church
porch, and was repeated again and again as they
followed the carriage that contained the bride and
her friends. Indeed, for years afterwards, it was
no uncommon thing for Tommy to be startled on a
dark night by some adventurous youth throwing
open his door and shouting, ** Betsy, my dear, are
you lame ?" a recreation in which, it is as well to
confess, we have frequently taken a part.

The last election for two members was strongly
contested. I have before me ** The Poll of the
Selection of Two Burgesses To serve in Parlia-
ment for the Borough of Great Grimsby, Taken
on Monday, May 2nd, 1831." The candidates
were : — George Harris, Esq., John Villiers
Shelley, Esq., Rees Howell Gronow, Esq., and
Henry William Hobhouse, Esq.

The all-absorbing question appears to have
been the ** Reform Bill." The fact that the
proposed Bill provided for taking one member
from Grimsby led to it being fiercely opposed.
This was awkward for the Whig candidates,

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214 OLD GRIMSBY.

Gronow and Hobhouse. The former, while
supporting the Bill, promised to use ** strenuous
exertions to procure an exception in favour of
so important a place of Commerce." As, how-
ever, the book is exceedingly rare and the subject
of more than ordinary interest, we give the address
in full, and those of the other candidates also.

TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND THE

INDEPENDENT FREEMEN OF THE

TOWN OF GREAT GRIMSBY.

Gentlemen,

Deeply impressed with the importance of your Town as a
place of Commerce, I appear before you, with diffidence, as a
Candidate for the honor of representing it in Parliament. I
candidly avow myself to be a decided advocate for Reform ; and
although I perceive the Town of Great Grimsby is included in
the Schedule B. by which it would be deprived of one of its
Representatives, I beg to assure you that my most strenuous
exertions shall be used, and I am emboldened to declare my
most sanguine hope, (from particular circumstances,) of pro-
curing an exception in favor of so important a place of
Commerce.

It is therefore. Gentlemen, with feelings of the deepest
anxiety for your interest, that I appear before you, as it will
be my pride and utmost study to exert all the influence I can
command towards increasing the prosperity and welfare of your
highly respectable Town.

If the object of my ambition should be gratified by being
placed by your suffrages in the enviable situation of one of
your Representatives in Parliament ; I can only assure you, it

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ELECTIONS. 215

will be my increasing effort to uphold your interests to my
utmost ability.

With these sentiments, allow me to subscribe myself,

Gentlemen, your most Obedient Servant,
R. H. GRONOW.

4, Chesterfield St., May Fair, April 24, 1831.

His colleague, Mr. Hobhouse, while evidently
in favour of the Bill, — the whole Bill, and nothing
but the Bill, promises to oppose ** any disfranchise-
ment which may be inadvertently included in the
Bill." His address, which was ** To the Inde-
pendent Burgesses,'* was in the following terms : —

TO THE INDEPENDENT BURGESSES OF THE
BOROUGH OF GREAT GRIMSBY.

Gentlemen,

Though called upon at the eleventh hour to become a
candidate for the honor of representing your Interests and
Opinions in Parliament, I do not hesitate to attend ^ the
summons at this important crisis.

Gentlemen, the King has spoken — he has declared that a
predominating faction shall not continue to exercise its uncon-
stitutional influence in the House of Commons, against the
prerogatives of the Crown, and the rights of the people. He
has declared that the law of England shall be respected ; that
we shall be taxed by our representatives.

The Country has universally confirmed these sentiments.

Let us then make common cause with our King and the
People in this glorious struggle — I seek no greater honor than
to associate my efforts with your own, if you shall think me
worthy of representing you.

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2i6 OLD GRIMSBY.

Let me also declare, that it shall be my constant care to
watch over the local Interests of your flourishing Town — and
that I will particularly direct my efforts to the removal of any
disfranchisement which may be inadvertently included in the
Bill.

I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,

Your faithful Servant,

H. W. HOBHOUSE.

Great Grimsby^ 29th April, 1831.

The addresses of the Conservative candidates
were as follows : —

TO THE WORTHY & INDEPENDENT BURGESSES
OF THE BOROUGH OF GREAT GRIMSBY.

My Esteemed Friends,

I have again the pleasure of presenting myself to your
notice as a Candidate for the distinguished honor of representing
you in Parliament. Having recently had the great satisfaction
of appearing before you and explaining my sentiments and my
conduct on the great and important Measure which had for its
object the deprivation of your ancient and vested Rights : I
deem any further comment on that subject unnecessary, I trust,
however, you are fully convinced that I have used every exertion
in answer to applications, having for their object the advance-
ment of your general and individual Interests.

I cannot conceal the gratification I shall derive in intro-
ducing to your notice my Friend, J. V. Shelley, Esq., (son of
Sir John Shelley, Baronet,) a gentleman whose opinions are in
perfect unison with my own, and whose manly defence of the /

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ELECTIONS. . 217

British Constitution in the House of Commons fully entitles
him to your warmest gratitude. —

With the strongest feelings of regard, believe me
Your faithful Friend,

GEO. HARRIS.

York Chambers^ St.James\ 23rd April, 1831.

TO THE WORTHY AND INDEPENDENT FREEMEN
OF THE BOROUGH OF GREAT GRIMSBY.

Gentlemen,

A sudden dissolution of Parliament in consequence of the
defeat the ministers have sustained on that clause of the Reform
Bill which proposes to reduce the number of English Represen-
tatives, again places in your hands the Elective Franchise.

I beg leave to offer myself as a Candidate for the honor of
representing your ancient Borough in Parliament ; anxious to
discharge a great public duty, by defending the Constitution of
England, as by law established.

Although wishing to see a Reform, which would be a real
amendment of the abuses in the Representative system, I can-
not bring myself to look upon the proposed measure, otherwise
than as a crude and ill-digested experiment, and calculated to
overturn all social order, and good Government ; should these
sentiments agree with the feelings of the Electors of the Borough
of Great Grimsby : and should they consider me worthy of the
important trust of representing them in Parliament, they will
ever find me at my post doing my Duty to them and to my
Country and anxious to promote their interests to the best of
my abilities; convinced that upon the Energies of the true
Friends of the Constitution, at this critical period, depends the
Permanency of the state, and the welfare of this Country.

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ai8 OLD GRIMSBY.

I shall immediately make a personal canvass of the
Borough in conjunction with your worthy and respected Friend,
Captain Harris : and hope to find the political principles of its
Electors agree with my own, in wishing for a safe and practic-
able Reform ; but adverse to this most unjust and tyrannical
measure.

I have the honor to be,

Gentlemen,

Your most obedient and very humble Servant,

JOHN VILLIERS SHELLEY.

Along with the addresses there is one from Sir
Charles Wood, stating that, finding it impossible
to absent himself for a sufficient time to allow him
to make a personal canvass of his friends, he had
been under the painful necessity of declining to
again offer himself as a candidate. He had twice
been returned, and had supported the Reform
Bill, and ventured to assert in his address that it
would tend to preserve the rights of the electors
and of their children, while their constituency would
be placed upon a firm and independent basis.

There is also a letter signed Geo. Tennyson,
stating that he had been informed that one of the
candidates had publicly stated that he had no par-
ticluar wish as to the conduct his friends should
pursue relative to the Question of Reform, with
which the country was then agitated ; and adding.

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ELECTIONS. 219

"Now I must contradict that statement in the
most positive terms ; — by saying it is my most
earnest wish, that all my Friends should give their
most strenuous support to the Measure — and if that
they will do so, by supporting the Candidates in
the Blue- Interest."

On Monday, May 2nd, ** the Electors and
others assembled in and about the Town Hall
at an early hour." After ** the usual Proclamation
had been made, and the Precept of the High
Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and the requisite Acts of
Parliament had been read," the Nomination took
place. The Poll commenced *' about Two o'clock,
and closed about Seven, when, after due pro-
clamation, the numbers were announced " as
follows : —

Harris - - - - 200

Shelley - - - - 192

Gronow - - - - 187

Hobhouse - - - 173

From an analysis of the poll it was found that the
total number of freemen polled was 376, who dis-
tributed their votes as follows : —

Harris and Shelley - - 184

Harris and Gronow - 13

Harris and Hobhouse - - 3

Shelley and Gronow - - 6

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220 QLD GRIMSBY.

Shelley and Hobhouse - - 2

Gronow and Hobhouse - - 168

The poll, as printed, gives the names and votes,
on the first page, of eleven aldermen and twelve
common-councilmen ; of these John Lusby, who
heads the list, voted for Harris and Gronow ;
William Bancroft for the two Reds, and nine for
the two Blues. Of the **councilmen," two voted
Red, ten Blue. Of merchants, one was Blue, one
Red, and one split. One gentleman Blue, nine
Red. Farmers, two Blue, one Red. Only one
schoolmaster, and he split his vote. Two attorneys
and one attorney s clerk, all Blue. Beside these
analysis shows that there were a Blue ratcatcher,
ironmonger, flaxdresser, silversmith, dock master,
currier, horsebreaker, confectioner, turner, gar-
dener, grazier, lathriver, and a Blue nutseller.
There was also a Red orangeseller, tallow-chandler,
millwright, weaver, and well-sinker. Of publi-
cans, seven were Red, and three Blue. Surgeons,
one of each colour. The butchers were five Red,
three Blue, one split. Fifteen shoemakers were
Red, nine Blue, and two splits ; while two qord-
wainers were both Blue. Mariners, thirty-three
Red, eleven Blue, seven split. Soldiers, two Red,
one Blue. Tailors, eight Red, three Blue, one

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ELECTIONS. m

split. Carpenters, four to one. Bakers, three to
one. Glovers, two to one. Millers, two to one.
Blacksmiths, two to seven. Whitesmiths, seven,
all Blues ; while both the brewers and drapers
were Red. Druggists, one to one, and one split.
Booksellers, one Red, one split, and one Blue
printer ; and the three painters were all of one
colour, Blue. The joiners were eleven to seven.
Stonemasons, four to one. Bricklayers, four to
five. Brickmakers, two to three. Nailmakers,
both Blue ; ditto, two tile-makers. Carters, three
to four, one split. Sawyers, both Blue. The
two hairdressers, watchmakers, shipwrights, were
evenly divided', being of each colour. The
labourers were thirty Reds, seventeen Blues, and
three splits.

There was evidently a vast amount of bribery
during the struggle, for on petition being pre-
sented the election was declared null and void,
and on August loth another contest took place,
when the figures stood : —

Hon. Hy. Fitzroy - - - 182

Lord Loughborough - - 181

H. Bellender Ker - - - 160

Wm. Maxwell - - - 153

The new members, however, did not long

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222 OLD GRIMSBY.

enjoy their seats, for on the passing of the Reform
Bill a new Parliament had to be elected, and on
December loth, 1832, the first election under the
new state of things took place. The Reform Bill
appears to have altered matters altogether, as far
as Grimsby was concerned. The borough only
returned one member, and the constitutency was
increased, though not to a very large extent,
judging from the numbers polled, which was as
follows : —

Captain Wm. Maxwell (/) - - 298

Lord Loughborough (c) - - 158

The disproportion in the numbers polled is very
marked, and for the first time the members are
distinguished by the signs L. and C, for Liberal
and Conservative.

The next contest was in 1835, when Edward
Heneage, (/), was returned by 260 to over Sir
Alexander Grant, (c), 227. Mr. Heneage held
the seat until 1852, having been returned in 1837,
1 84 1, and 1847, without a contest, when he was
defeated by Earl Annesley, (/.-^.), by 347 to 286.

The writer has a vivid recollection of this
contest, and many incidents connected with it.
One made a lasting impression on his memory.
Standing in the midst of a large, but fairly good-

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ELECTIONS. 225

humoured crowd gathered in the market-place,
we saw the late member, accompanied by a num-
ber of his leading supporters, occupying a room
above one of the principal shops, from which the
window had been taken, and witnessed the cere-
mony of proposing and seconding, which met with
but little interruption, although it was evident that
an overwhelming majority was **in opposition."
When, however, the honourable gentleman came
forward, he was saluted with a number of un-
pleasant remarks, which evidently disconcerted
him. He held his hat in his hands, and gazed
intently into it, at what was supposed to be his
speech, which had doubtless been written for him,
for no one supposed he could compose one himself.
His lack of oratorical power had long been a
favourite joke, and it was asserted he had never
been known to open his lips in the House.
Feeling, however, that it was absolutely neces-
sary for him to say something, he commenced,
*' Gentlemen and independent e-lec-tors of this
ancient borough — this an-cient borough, I have

represented you too long, — too — long — for ."

** Heigh, thou hes that," shouted a voice from the
crowd, **and weVe going to hev' somebody that
will represent us better." This sally was caught

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a24 OLD GRIMSBY.

up in a moment, and repeated by hundreds of
voices again and again, amid shouts and cheers
which completely drowned the candidate's voice,
who stood for a while gesticulating in vain until he
was compelled to beat a retreat, amid continuous
roars of laughter and the confusion of his sup-
porters, one of whom was unwise enough to
declare that it was a good thing that many of the
crowd had no vote ; while another completely
ruined any chance of being heard, by declaring
in a furious passion, ** Some of you will want a
day's work before long." This implied threat so
irritated the crowd that they refused to hear either
the speaker or any other, and the assembly dis-
persed cheering for the opposition candidate.

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•Relifiioue an^ otber Jnetitutione*

THE history of the Parish and St. Mary's
Church, with that of the Abbey and
Nunnery, have been already dealt with in the
previous pages. Occasional glimpses have been
afforded of the religious condition of the people,
but we have failed to find any record of the
existence of any Puritan or Nonconformist organ-
izations until late in the i8th century.

CONGREGATIONALISTS.

The Rev. F. W. Newland has kindly

furnished us with a sketch of the history of the

Congregationalists, or Independents, as they were

formerly termed, in which he states that in 1778

the Rev. Craddock Gloscot visited Grimsby, and

preached in the streets. A committee was formed,

and preachers regularly sent by the Countess of

Huntingdon ; a room opened, and a congregation

gathered. In 1779, a chapel was opened at the

corner of Silver Street, of which the Rev. S.

Bruce became the minister in 1780: he was

succeeded by the Rev. J. Smelle in 1782. A

secession occurred, those who left built another

15

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226 OLD GRIMSBY.

chapel, which was at length sold to the Primitive
Methodists, and the seceders united with the
Baptist Church, then being formed. Mr. Smelle
remained minister until his decease in 1823, the
chapel was then claimed by a relative (having
been assigned to Mr. Smelle on account of
money advanced), and was sold for a Temperance
Hall, the church being dispersed.

Efforts were made in 1849 to recommence the
work and rent the chapel, but without success.
In 1853, renewed attempts were made by the
Hull and East Riding Association, but again
unsuccessfully. At length in 1859, on another
attempt, the Mechanics' Hall was taken. The
first sermon was preached by the Rev. R. A.
Redford m.a., ll.b. (then of Albion Chapel, Hull),
and on July 8, i860, Robert Shepherd, of Rother-
ham College, commenced his ministry : on August
14, i860, a church was formed. The development
of the work was largely due to the efforts of John
Wintringham, Esq., j.p.

Spring Church was opened on July 16, 1862 :
it seats about 700 persons. The cost of erection
was defrayed by the end of 1864. New school-
rooms were then built, and the debt on these
removed by June, 1870.

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 227

'The Rev. R. Shepherd closed his ministry in
December, 1871. The Rev. John Fordyce, m.a.,
scored as pastor from 1872 to 1881, and the Rev.
Matthew Stanley from 1882 to 1886, and the
Rev. G. Warren from 1886 to 1894, being
succeeded in January, 1895, by the Rev. F. W.
Newland, m.a.

In 1886 a church was formed in the West
Marsh, and services were held in the Scandina-
vian Kirke, rented for the purpose. Recently a
new school has been erected, and the Rev. H.
, Dudley has been appointed pastor.

On April 21, 1895, the School Church at
Welholme was opened, this building was erected
at a cost of nearly ;^i ,900. Recently a magnificent
organ has been erected.

^ BAPTISTS.

This community formed a church at Killing-
holme, which worshipped in a chapel there long
before a society was formed in Grimsby. How-
ever, in 1822, William Grassham came to Grimsby,
and settled in the town. Having been a member
of the Salthouse Lane Baptist Chapel in Hull, he
naturally sought out men who were like-minded

* We are indebted to Alderman Dobson, j.p., for the information which
is contained in this sketch.

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228 OLD GRIMSBY.

with himself, and discovered several who had
worshipped in the old chapel in Silver Street,
under Mr. Smelle, which was closed, and they
determined to endeavour to form a society in
Grimsby. They succeeded, and shortly engaged
a schoolroom in Burgess Street, which had
formerly been built for a Masonic Lodge.
Services were conducted by ministers from
Killingholme and Hull on the Sabbath, until
the cause became sufficiently strong to warrant
the purchase of a freehold land and cottages in
Upper Burgess Street, from the writers grand-
father, Jabez Robinson, who sold the whole for
;^I3. In 1824 a small chapel and schoolroom
were built at a cost of ;^289 and £^7 respectively.
The present Lecture Hall occupies the site then
acquired.

The Rev. Abraham Greenwood, pastor of the
church at Killingholme, one of the thirteen
devoted men who founded the Baptist Missionary
Society, October 2nd, 1792, at Kettering,
rendered considerable assistance in founding the
church in Grimsby.

The first pastor was the Rev. Stephen Marston,
who removed from Gainsborough. His salary
was ;^50 per annum. He was a devoted minister,

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 229

and eked out a scanty living by keeping a lady s
boarding school. He was the father of the late
John Westland Marston, the dramatic author.
The land behind the chapel was used as a burial-
ground. The first person interred in it was Mr.
Grassham. About forty persons in all were
buried there, amongst whom was the pastor, Mr.
Marston, to whose memory a tablet was placed on
the walls of the old chapel, which still exists, and
bears testimony to the affection of the people to
whom he ministered for fourteen years.

Mr. Marston was succeeded by the Rev. D.
Margarum, who for a time was somewhat popular.
But soon difficulties beween pastor and the church
occurred, litigation ensued, in which the latter
was defeated, a secession took place consisting of
almost the entire church, the members of which
engaged the Oddfellow's Hall in Victoria Street,
and endeavoured to rally its scattered forces,

Mr. Margarum struggled along for some time
with a few adherents, until the chapel was deserted
and the mortgagee sued for the debt upon it.
Mr. Margarum found none to deliver him ; a pad-
lock was placed upon the door, and eventually
the old members succeeded in recovering posses-
sion of their old home. A Sunday school was

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230 OLD GRIMSBY.

formed, and the Rev, Joseph Burton engaged as
pastor, in November, 1849. Mr. Burton had
been successful as a missionary in Jamaica and
the Bahamas. He undertook the pastorate with-
out the idea of any permanent stay, his preference
being for evangelistic work. He remained
however three years. After being supplied with
different preachers for some time, the Rev. B.
Preeder was obtained as pastor, in April, 1852,
but he only remained until January, 1853.

He was succeeded in October, 1854, by the
Rev. R. Hogg, a Manxman, whose quaint and
spiritual ministry was made a great blessing. He
was greatly beloved, but his labours were cut
short by his death, which took place May 26th,
1857. He was interred in the old cemetery,
where a tombstone still stands which was erected
to his memory by his affectionate flock.

Rev. R. Smart followed in 1857. **A season
of great prosperity set in." The chapel was
speedily filled, and a host of young men were
gathered into the church. In i860 the chapel
was enlarged at a cost of ;^400. This, however,
led to some dissension on the part of disappointed
tradesmen, which was followed by differences of
opinion respecting the administration of church

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 231

affairs, which ended in a division. A new chapel
in Freeman Street was erected, of which Mr.
Smart became the pastor, which position he
occupied until his death.

Mr. Smart was followed in the pastorate by the
Rev. W. Orton, who, after some years, retired
from active work, and was succeeded by the Rev.
J. T. Owens, and he by the present minister, the
Rev. R. C. Ford, M.A.

Since the erection of the Freeman Street
Chapel, the present spacious ** Tabernacle " has
been built of which the Rev. J. Edmonds is now
pastor.

METHODISM.

Methodism was introduced into Grimsby as
early as 1743, when the population numbered
about 1,000. John Wesley had visited Lincoln-
shire as an evangelist about two years previously,
and in February, 1743, William Blow, a cord-
wainer of Grimsby, residing in the High Street,
now known as the old Market Place, having
heard of him, ** journeyed " to Epworth, a distance
of twenty-four miles, to request him to visit
Grimsby. Wesley, not being able to comply with
the request, sent the famous John Nelson, who
started from Epworth, in company with a boy

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232 OLD GRIMSBY.

about twelve years of age and a man from
Grimsby, on foot, and walked until overtaken by
the night, and were obliged to seek shelter among
strangers, where they were hospitably entertained.
They reached Grimsby the next morning, and
soon collected a congregation. Nelson opened his
Bible, and said, ** Hear ye the word of the Lord,"
reading two or three verses and expounding
them. The second night, Mr. Francis Walker,
a schoolmaster, offered Nelson his schoolroom,
which formed part of extensive premises known
as Torret Hall, the entrance to which was by a
flight of steps on the outside from Bethlehem
Street. Nelson accepted the offer, and as a result
of his visit a Methodist Society was formed, con-
sisting of about fifteen members.

For some time there was no preaching, but a
class-meeting was held in Mr. Blow s house, when
one of the members sometimes read one of the
Homilies. Nelson paid a second visit to Grimsby
in June of the same year, and so large a congrega-
tion assembled that he was obliged to stand upon
a table which was placed outside the house, while
he addressed the people who listened attentively,
and although ** the minster and three men came
to play at quoits, as near the people as they could

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 233

get, with all their playing and shouting they could
not draw any one from hearing.

In the spring of 1744 Nelson visited the town
a third time. He describes in his journal the
treatment he met with in his usually graphic style.
The vicar, the Rev. Samuel Prince, ** got a man
to beat the town drum," and himself marched
before it, and gathered all the rabble he could,
** giving them liquor to go with him and fight for
the Church. When they came to Mr. Blow's
door, they set up three hurrahs, and the parson
cried out, * Pull down the house ! pull down the
house!'" While Nelson was peaching no one
seemed courageous enough to do so.

Nelson was a true hero of the Cross : *' He
had," wrote Southey, in his ** Life of Wesley,"
** as high a spirit and as brave a heart as English-
man was ever blessed with." His dauntless
bearing awed the mob, who seemed powerless for
harm while he stood before them. No sooner,
however, had he ceased, than the cowards, having
been primed with a fresh supply of liquor, attacked
the house, broke every square in the windows,
abused the people as they came out and maltreated
the women, until some of the mob attacked their
comrades, and the congregation escaped. The

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234 OLD GRIMSBY.

•'minister," however, ** gathered them together
again," giving them more drink, and returning
they broke the stanchions of the windows, and
pulling up the pavement threw the stones into
the house, broke the furniture, the parson crying
out, "If they will not turn out the villain, that we
may put him in the black ditch, pull down the
house." So outrageous was the conduct of the
mob, that a townsman went to an alderman and
said, ** Some order must be taken with these men,
for if they be suffered to go on as they do, they
will ruin William Blow, and I fear they will kill
somebody." But this ** Justice of the Peace, and
defender of true religion," declared he would " do
nothing but lend his mash-tub to pump the
preacher in." After cursing, swearing, fighting,
and rioting, from seven o'clock till almost twelve
at night, the mob dispersed, the parson promising
to reward the drummer for his pains, saying, ** Be
sure to come at five in the morning, for the
villian will be preaching again then." Accordingly
the drummer attended at the appointed hour, and
as soon as Nelson appeared and announced a
hymn, commenced drumming, and continued to
do so for near three-quarters of an hour, when
seeing that he could not hinder the service

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 235

proceeding, he laid down his drum and stood and
listened to the preacher, and shortly the tears ran
down his cheeks, and at the close he expressed
great sorrow for what he had done. As he went
up the town, along with several others, **the
parson met them and bade them to be sure and
come at seven o'clock." '* No, Sir," said the
drummer, ** I will never beat a drum to disturb
yonder people any more while breath is in my
body." " We had great peace in our shattered
house that night, and God s presence was amongst
us," wrote in the indomitable preacher.

The Rev. Charles Wesley visited Grimsby
early in January, 1747, and met with similar treat-
ment. The mob shouted and howled, and yelled
themselves hoarse, and refused to allow the sweet
singer of Methodism to proceed, until they
quarrelled among themselves, when the room was
cleared of disturbers, and Mr. Wesley preached
for half-an-hour without further molestation. He
was not allowed, however, to leave the town in
peace, for on the morning of his departure he was
pelted with rotten eggs.

The father of Methodism, /oAn Wesley, visited
Grimsby October 24th, 1743, when finding the
house not large enough to contain one-fourth of

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236 OLD GRIMSBY.

the congregation, he ** stood in the street and
exhorted every prodigal to arise and go to **his
Father." One or two persons made an attempt
to interrupt the preacher, but were prevented by
their own companions. A townsman promised
the use of a large room the next day, but when
the time for the preaching came retracted his
promise. Wesley, nothing daunted, determined
to preach at the Cross, but the rain prevented his
doing so there, but ** a woman who was a sinner "
offered him a very convenient place, and the great
evangelist preached of Him **whom God hath
exalted to give repentance and remission of sins."
** And,'* says the preacher, " God so confirmed the
word of His grace that I marvelled any one could
withstand Him." In the evening he ** enlarged
upon her sins and faith who washed our Lord s
feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of
her head," with such effect that the woman and
well nigh the whole congregation **were utterly
broken in pieces." She followed Wesley to his
lodgings, crying out. ** O, Sir ! what must I do
to be saved .'^" After inquiring into her case,
Wesley informer her she must return at once to
her husband ; when she stated that her husband
was above a hundred miles off, at Newcastle-on-

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 237

Tyne. Then the man replied : " I am going to
Newcastle in the morning, you may go with
me. William Blow shall take you behind him."
And so he did. The woman rejoined her husband.
Some time afterwards, while bound for Hull, the
ship in which she sailed was overtaken by a storm,
sprung a leak, and though the vessel was near the
shore, and a number of people assembled to render
help if possible, all was unavailing, and the poor
woman was seen standing on the deck, clinging to
the ropes till the ship disappeared. Even then,
for some moments, they could observe her floating
upon the waves, till her clothes, which buoyed her
up, being thoroughly wet, she sunk. ** I trust,''
wrote Wesley, " in the ocean of God's mercy."

Wesley paid several other visits to Grimsby
between 1743 ^"^ 1788. His reception during
his later visits was very different to that of his
first. Frequently vast crowds assembled to listen
to him, and on Monday, June 30th, 1788, he
reached Grimsby about 5 o'clock, and the vicar,
not his old persecutor, but the Rev. Lindsey
Haldenby, b.a., reading the prayers. Wesley
preached on the psalm for the day, ** the church
not being so well filled in the memory of man
before. All were seriously attentive, and many

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238 OLD GRIMSBY.

received the word with joy." The next morning
the vicar again read prayers, and Wesley preached
from a passage in the second lesson, speaking as
plainly as he *' possibly could." *

The first meeting-house was erected in 1757.
Its entrance was from the Bull Ring. It afforded
accomodation for 200 persons, and was opened by
Wesley himself on July 16, 1757. It cost £78
3s. 3d., and ;^65 19s. 35^d. was contributed
towards that amount. By 1807 ^^ was too small
for the congregation that crowded it, and in 1808
a much larger building was erected in New Street,
which was enlarged in 1837, and ultimately
superseded by the noble structure in George
Street, which was built in 1847. Since that time,
Victoria, Duncombe Street, Arlington Street, and
South Parade Chapels have been erected.

PRIMITIVE METHODISM
was introduced into ** Old Grimsby " on October
31, 1 8 19, by the Rev Thomas King of Notting-
ham.

He had given up a lucrative position for
the work of Evangelism, and laboured with
marked success for many years. He met with

* The above is taken from the last entry in the Joumah respecting
Grimsby. Wesley being then in his eighty-sixth year.

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RELIGIOUS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. 239

great and almost unsuperable difficulties but
succeeded in laying the foundation of a work which
has continued to spread to the present day. First
a stable, was occupied for religious services, then
a portion of a large warehouse opposite Grime
Street, then a disused chapel in Loft Street was
purchased, which, after undergoing enlargements,
was sold and superseded by the present building
in Victoria Street. A chapel had been already
built in Cleethorpe Road, then Hainton Street,
Flottergate, Ebenezer, and other places were
erected, until at present the Connection has
eighteen chapels in the two Grimsby Circuits and
property to the value of about ;^40,ooo.

The Free Methodists, were not founded until
**01d Grimsby" had become modern, and the
Railway and Docks about finished. They have
now a large chapel in Freeman Street, and have
recently erected a second one in Park Street,
where they are carrying on a successful Mission.
The Presbyterians, Salvation Army, and others,
have also places of worship, but these are of recent
date.

This is also the case with the Roman Catholics.
We have had the privilege of perusing a most
interesting volume of notes by Mr. Drake, Draper

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240 OLD GRIMSBY.

of Victoria Street, in which he gives an account
of his recollections of Grimsby as he found it in
1852, when he came to reside in the town. He
found a number of Irishmen, who had been
brought over from Ireland direct, to work at the
New Dock, who were Roman Catholics. These
soon gathered around him, and after many
struggles, services were established, conducted by
priests from Louth, Brigg, and other places, and
eventually a resident Priest was secured and
ultimately the present church erected.

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]6&ucatfonaL

THERE IS but scanty information in the
Borough Records of the means employed
to educate the people, before the times of Edward
VI. During his reign an order was made for the
erection of a Grammar School for the sons of Free-
men, and a grant made of ** lands and tenements
to the yearly value of 40 marks for the support of
the school. Also license to Thomas Thomlynson,
perpetual chaplain of the chantry called Raynard
Chauntrie in the Parish Church of St. James, to
give and grant that chantry, and all its manors, etc.,
to the Mayor and Burgesses, in part satisfaction of
the said 40 marks ; the same being of the yearly
value of ;Ca 5s. 6d., over and above 9s. 6d.,
reserved to the King as a tenth."

Catherine Mason, a few years after the erection
of the Free Grammar School, gave to the Mayor
and Burgesses an annuity of £7, payable out of
lands in Guelceby, Aterby and Scamblesby,
" towards the finding and maintaining of one
schoolmaster to teach within the borough, children

their grammar and Latin tongue."

16

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243 OLD GRIMSBY.

The School was erected in what was afterwards
called Chantry Lane, which at that time was
nothing but a foot path leading from the Bull-ring to
the Little Field, called Beinby. It crossed
Cartersgate, at its junction with which it passed
by the mansions of William Hatclyffe and Richard
Thymbleby.

The schools were endowed from lands which as
already stated formerly belonging Rayner's chantry
in St. James' Church. In the Corporation Box,
No. I are several letters patent respecting these
lands. One is dated June 5, 1342, 6 Edward III.
licensing " Edmund de Grymesby to give and
assign to a chaplain in the Church of St. James
ten tofts in Grymesby, and 13s. 4d., yearly from a
messuage late of Robert David in the same town ;
which premises were held in burbage of the King,
viz., the messuage by the service of six marks and
the tofts by the service of 3s. 4d."

Under date Sept. 12 of the same year, letters
patent licensed the said Edmund de Grymesby to
give and assign to two chaplains ten marks' worth
of lands, tenements, and rents, except lands held
of the King in chief, and on March 12, 1345, letters
to the same licensing him to grant to the said
chaplains seven shops, twelve acres of land, and

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EDUCATIONAL. 243

five acres of meadow, in Grymesby held of the
King in free burbage, and worth 26s. 8d.

A second school was afterwards erected in New
Street, to which a master was appointed, in which
junior scholars were prepared for the higher school.

These have been merged in new schools which
are still under the regulation of the Corporation.

Early in the present century a '* National Sunday
School'' was commenced, under the guidance of
the Rev. Geo. Oliver, Vicar, and others. It was
liberally supported ; the income as appears from
the second report being over ;^6o. The Hon.
Miss Pelham was Patroness. To an old Grim-
barian.like the writer, the report has many points of
interest. In the list of donors we find such names
as Henage, Pelham, Oliver, Daubney, Moody,
Goulton, Tennyson, and others. While among
the Teachers we find Marshall, Shelton, Robin-
son, Joy, Veal, Smith, Searby, Squire, Carritt,
Daubney, Woolmer, Blair, Lieut. Hornby, R. N.,
and many other old Grimsby names.

The following preface to the General Report is '
worth quoting, as illustrative of the stand-point
from which the educational question was received
by our ancestors.

'* Impressed with sentiments of lively gratitude

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244 OLD GRIMSBY.

to the Great Author and Dispenser of all blessings,
they feel it impossible to enter upon a detail of
the Annual transactions, without first paying a
tribute to His beneficience who alone can bless
our feeble efforts to promote His honour with pros-
perity and success.

In imparting to the lower orders of the Com-
munity a competent knowledge of the ground of
their obligations to God and man, a benefit is
conferred, indeprivable in its nature, and in-
estimable in its effects. The human mind, ever
active, and ardently bent to the attainment of
happiness, cannot remain quiescent. If it be not
directed to the acquisitions of piety and virtue, if
it be not engaged in laudable pursuits, it will be
employed in vicious meditations, or perhaps in the
actual commission of crime. And the numerous
violations of divine and human laws, which stain
the pages of our civil Records, may most frequently
be traced to the neglect of cultivation in early life.

To prevent these evils in the next generation
is one great object of the system of education, and
the effects already produced in Grimsby, render
the Committee sanguine in their expectations of
still more extensive benefits."

So sanguine indeed were the Committee, owing

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EDUCATIONAL. 245

to the large increase in donations that they com-
menced a ''Day-School'' for the reception of poor
children three days in each week, and did not doubt
but that the benefits resulting from the operation
of this '* limited plan," would become so apparent,
as to induce the inhabitants in general to enlarge
their contributions for the purpose of establishing
a permanent school for every day in the week,
which would **tend to improve the rising gener-
ation, and render them good christians and valuable
members of Society."

The various dissenting bodies were also active
in the same good work, and with marked results.

The present condition of education in the town
does not come within the range of this work.

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Historical Manuscript Comynission, Fourteenth
Report. Appendix, Part VII L

The Manuscripts of Lincoln, Bury St.
Edmunds, and Great Grimsby Corporations ; and
of the Deans and Chapters of Worcester and
Lichfield, etc.

Presented to both Houses of Parliament by
Command of Her Majesty.

London : Printed for Her Majesties Stationary
Office by Eyre and Spottiswoode.

And to be purchased, either directly or through
any bookseller, from Eyre and Spottiswoode,
East Harding Street, Fleet Street, E.C., and
32, Abingdon Street, Westminster, S.W.

[C— 7881] Price is. sd.

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<

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 247

Oliver^ George. The monumental antiquities
of Great Grimsby: an essay towards ascertaining
its origin and ancient population. Containing
also a brief account of the two magnificent
churches and the five religious houses which were
once the grace and ornament of the town ; an
abstract of the charters and privileges of the
borough ; biographical notices of eminent natives
of Grimsby ; lists of High Stewards, Members of
Parliament, etc., by George Oliver, Vicar of Clee,
etc. Hull: Printed by Isaac Wilson, Lowgate,
1825, 8vo., pp. 99.

Oliver, George. The History and Antiquities
of the Conventual Church of Saint James, Great
Grimsby, with notes illustrative and explanatory,
etc. Grimsby: Printed by W. Skelton, the
Market Place, 1829, 8vo., pp. 60.

Walker, Robert. A succient but copious
abridgement of various charters granted to the
town of Grimsby, with some account of its origin,
ellucidating also a variety of its ancient and
present customs with the oaths, as well taken by,
Municipal Officers, as by the Burgesses, in
admission to their Freedom. By Robert Walker,
with kind aid. Great Grimsby : Printed by Ann
for the Author, 1833, i2mo., pp. 119.

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248 OLD GRIMSBY.

Davenport, J. B. Illustrated Guide to Clee-
thorpes visitor*s Handbook to Great Grimsby, with
a historical account of Thornton Abbey. Roch-
dale : Printed and published by J. B. Davenant,
8vo., pp- 31.

A description of the New Docks at Great
Grimsby, situated at the mouth of the great
estuary of the H umber ; and of the Manchester,
Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, and other
Railways in direct communication. With a plan
of the Docks and Maps of the Railways in
connection. Manchester, 8vo., pp. 24.

Oliver, Geo. Ye Byrde of Gryme. An
Apologue, by the Rev. G. Oliver, d.d., Rector of
South Hykeham, Vicar of Scop wick, late Rector
of Wolverhampton, and Prebendary in the
Collegiate School there, and Honorary Member
of many Literary Societies at home and abroad.
Grimsby : Printed and Published by A. Gait,
13, Market Place, 1886, 12 mo., pp. 282.

Dobson, Edward. A Guide and Directory to
Cleethorpes, with a Historical Account of the
place, to which is appended a Perpetual Tide
Table, showing the proper time for sea bathing,
according to the moon s age ; also a Description
of Great Grimsby and the neighbouring villages

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BIBLIOGRAPHY. 249

of Clee, Scartho, Bredley, Laceby, Waltham,
Humberstone, Tetney, North Coates, and Marsh-
Chapel. By Edward Dobson, 8vo.

The Twistings and Twinings of Mr. Timothy
Turnabout. By the Rev. Geo. Shaw. Third
Edition. Ninth Thousand. A Grimsby Story.

Councillor Kerwood's Investment, and What
Came of It. By Rev. Geo. Shaw, Author of our
Religious Humourists, etc. London : T. Mitchell,
48, 49, and 50, Aldersgate Street, E.C.

The History of Freemasonry in Grimsby from
its Introduction to 1892. Comprising: — **the
Spurn and Humber," *'the Apollo," **the Pelham
Pillar," ** the St. Albans," and ** the Smyth "
Lodges; the Aletheai, and ** Oliver" Royal Arch
Charters ; and the '' Sutcliffe Mark Lodge." By
Bro. Anderson Bates, P.M., and 1294 P.P.G.D.C.,
and D.P.G.M.M.M. of Lincolnshire. Compiled
for delivery as Lectures, and published by
request, for the benefit of a Local Masonic
Charity.

Grimsby : Published by Albert Gait, Market
Place, 1892.

A Gossip about Old Grimsby, with a complete
list of the Mayors from the year 1 202 to the present
time ; and the Members for the Borough from

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2SO OLD GRIMSBY.

1639. By Anderson Bates, Author of the
History of Freemasonry in Grimsby.

Published for the benefit of the Grimsby and
District Hospital.

Grimsby :

Published by Albert Gait, Market Place.

1893.

"Ancient Grimsby*' is the title of a Paper
read before the Lincoln Diocesan Architectural
Society at Grimsby in 1858, by the Rev. J. Wild,
Vicar of Tetney. It was subsequently published
in Gait's Directory.

The Gentleman s Magazine for November, 1828,
pp., 401, 402, contains an article on '* Seals of
Town of Grimsby," from the pen of Rev.
G. Oliver.

Stephenson, George Skelton. The Register
Book of the Parish Church of Saint James, Great
Grimsby, for marriages, christenings, and burials
beginning in 1538, and ending in 181 2,
edited by George Skelton Stephenson, m.d.,
pp., xvii., 435, only 80 copies printed by
Albert Gait, Grimsby 1889, 8vo. Published
by subscription.

Hocken, Joshua, Rev. A brief History of

Digitized byVjOOQlC

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 251

Wesleyan Methodism in the Grimsby Circuit
Rev. Joshua Hocken. 1837.

Lester, George, Rev, Grimsby Methodism
(1743- 1 889) and The Wesley's in Lincolnshire, by
George Lester. London Wesleyan Methodist
Book Room. 1890, pp., 165.

Digitized byVjOOQlC

■!

i

Digitized byVjOOQlC

3n0ey.

Abbey Hill, 16, 27, 28

Abbey, The, 16, 18, 37, 45, 47,

67, 77, 127, 161
Abbots of Thornton, 49
Abbots of Newsham, 49
Abbots of Wellow, 122
Abott, Billy, Anecdote of, 201
Abus, The River, 22
Abye. 38

Agriculture, Qtate of, 167
Augustine, St., 45
Ainsley, Canon, 67
Albemarle, Earl of, 79, 86
Albemarle, Countess of, 80
Aldermen, 59

Ale, "Raw" and "Buttered," 131
Alford, 38, 115
Ancholme, River, 112
Anchorage, Fees for, 65
Ancient Britons, 15, 19
Anecdotes, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 121,

122, 130, 149, 199, 200, 201,

209,223
Angles, The, 29, 30, 31
Anglo-Saxons, 29
Anglo-Saxon Poem, 10
Anglia, East, 29, 34, 35, 154
Annals of Commerce, 23
Annerley, Patrick, 143
Annesloy, Earl of, M. P., 222
Antiquities of Grimsby, 17
Antonine's description of Britain, 1
Aquitaine, Duke of, 80
Archbishop Whitgift, 46
Archery, 97
Art, John le, 136
Ashby-cum-Fenby, 125
Ashby de la Launde, 128
Ashby Hall, 128
Ashby, 129
Atwater, Bishop of Lincoln, 53,

54
Aubery, John, 18
Aycolites, 70
Aylesby, 26, 35, 60

Ayscough, Edward, 126, 134
Ayscough, Francis, 147, 189, 190,

191, 192
Ayscough, Isabella, 127
Ayscough, Sir Christopher, 122
Ayscough, Sir Richard, 118
Ayscough, Sir William, 117, 122
" Awatyn Freers," 144
Awstyn's, St., Day, 163
Authors Quoted : —

Antonine, 1

Bates, A., Mr., 182, 196, 199,
201, 249, 250

Bigland, Ralph, 173

Boyle, 1, 80

Bull of Pope Lucius II, 49

Burnett, 228

Caesar, 26

Camden, 1, 2, 6, 16

Chambers' Book of Days, 102

Chancery Inquisition, 82, 84

Cirencester, Richard of, 31

Domesday Book, 109, 156, 169

Dugdale, 49

Erasmus, 117

Eumenius, 32

Fra Breton, 117

Fordham, Bp. Register, 51

Froude's History iEng. (Vol.
II), 164

Gloucester, Robert of, 6

Gordon, Dr. James, 18

Gough, 16

Halkm's Cons. His., 61

Herodian, 21

Historical Manuscript Com-
mission, 39, 95, 113, 121,
123, 124, 125, 132, 134,
137, 143, 147, 149

Hoare, Sir Richard, 26

Holies, Gervase, 3, 6, 7, 160

HoUingshead, 19

Hone's Every Day Book, 102

Ingulphus, 22

Irvine, Washington, 103

Digitized byVjOOQlC

254

INDEX.

Isaac Pontatua, 8

Kin^*8 Antiquities, 19

Kni(2^ht'F, C, History of Eng. ,
26, S2

Langtoft. Peter, 9, 11, 22

Leland, 8. 49

Lester, G., Rev., 251

Lincolnshire and the Danes,
35, 38, 42

Lincohishire Notes and Quer-
ies (Vol I), 46

Louth, History of, 175

Macpherson's Annals of Com-
merce, 23

Macaulay, 33

Maddock's His. of Exchequer,
104

Murray's Hand- Book of Lin-
colnshire, 10, 34

Nicholson's Pedigree of the
English Peojplo, 13

Pepy's Diary, 130

Pontanus, Isaac, 8

Parish Registers, Hagworth-
ingham, 167

Poll Book. 213

Pry me. Rev. A. de La, 171

Rapier, 22

Roger de Hovedon, 61

Rot. Hund, 3 ; Edward III, 89

Stachouse, 25

State Papers and Public
Records Office, 170

Speed, 49

Stephenson, Geo. S., Dr., 250

Stukeley, Dr., 25

Tacitus 24

To[x>grapher, Aug. 1789, 3

Wild, Rev. J., 89

.Zyphiline, 21

Bailiffs, 51, 67, 58, 87

Baldwin, 136

Baptist, St. John, the Feast of,

94,98
Bar, The, 25
Bargate, 18, 25, 28
Barnardiston, Geo., M.P., 120
Barnardiston, Nathaniel, Sheriff,

134
Barnardiston, Sir John, M.P., 120
Barnardiston, Sir Thomas, M.P.,

133. 134
Barnoldby, 38
Barrow, 25

Bartholemew's, St , Day, 62
Bassingbounie, Robert de, 52
Bates, Abram, Vicar, 103
Bates, Anderson, Esq., 182, 196,

199, 201, 249, 250
Bath. 18, 19
Bear Baiting, 93
Bear Hunting. 93
Beaumont, Viscount, 187
Becket. Thomas A., 49
Bellamy, Thomas, 76
Bellasyse, Sir H., M.P., 129
Bellasyse, (Killed in a duel), 132
Bellow, Aid. John, 123, 124, 161
Benedict, St., 18
Benynholme, Wm. de, 137
Beefsby, 41
Beesby, 137, 143
Berserkers. 37

Bibliography of Grimsby, 246
Bishop s Eye, The. 76
Binbrook, 40
Black Canons. 45
Blue Stone, The, 63
Bondeloi, 41
Borough, The Old. 55
Booth, VVm., Mayor. .54, 149
Boudery, Rev. Daniel de, 75
Bottesford, 40
Boy's Lane, 71

Boucherett, Ayscough. M.P..194
Bradley. 26, 94, 95, 156
Bradley (ilen, 41

Bradley Woods. 22. 37, 41, 95, 102
Breweries, The Abbey, 144
Bridlington, 116
Bridgeway Gat-e, 118
Brigg. 38, 40. 152
Brigghowgate, 6, 143, 144
Britons, Early, 17, 150, 151
British Trade. Early, 23
British and Roman Times. 14
Britannia, Beautiful Description

of. 32
British Art, 28

British Boat, Discovery of, 152
British Camp, 20
British Mounds, 11, 14
British Settlements. 10, 151
tish Towns, 20, 22
•Qh Villages, 20, 24
1, ^sby, 38, 120, 169
Brown, J. D., 76
Brune, Wm., 83
Burstwyk in Holdemess, 113

Digitized byVjOOQlC

INDEX.

255

Bury St. Edmunds, 59
Bubbles, Billy, 209, L'lO, 212
Burn Creek, 1 16
Butler, Wm., 142

Caistor, 40

Camden, 1, 2, 5, 16

Candlemas Day, 163

Canute, 6, 37, 39

Gates, Anne of, 147

Cedric, 29

Ceorbs, 61, 154

Chandler, Railf, 187

Chapel Hill, 17

Chaplin, John, Esq., 134

Chancery Inquisition, 84

Chantry Lane, 72, 445

Charles II, 129, 135

Chester, County of, 30

Chester, Earl of , 85, 159

Chitourpe, 40

Church, Old, 66 76, 173

Church, St. Mary's, 45

Cirencester, Richard of, 31

Clayton Hall, 77

Clea, 23

Clee, 23, 41, 57. 114, 117, 157

Clee Rental, 165

Cleeness, 41

Cleethorpes, 23, 40, 157

Cleethorpes Cliff, 172

Cleethorpes, Guide to, 248

Clerk, Wm,, 136

Clinton, Lord, 191

Coates. Great, 134, 144, 157

Coates, Fitties, 135

Coates, Little, 28, 49, lOi

CoatQS, Middle, 135

Coates, South, 135

Caesar, 30

Cotes, Maria and Hugh de, 83

Cockfighting, 95

.Condition of the People, 150, 174,

176
Conisby, 40

Conisby, William de, 156
Constable, Thos., 123
Constable, Robt., 138
Commercial Hill, 18
Connium, 19

Corporation Ordinances, 56
Coleby, 41

Conway, Sir Ed., 169
Cost of a Charter, 166
Court-Leet or Baron, 58

Cornwall, Earl of, 87

*' Crosse all Wyke." 163

Cross Lane, 105

Creek Burn, 115

Crowland, Lord Abbot of, 115

Cun Hu Hill, 20, 21, 26

Cuneda, 20

Cunes, 20

Cunedagis, 20

Cuneglasis, 20

Cungretrix, 20

Curious Claim for Fish, 123

Danes, The, 38, 39, 40, 42, 153
Danish Invaders, 22
Danish Invasion, First, 34
Danegelt, 39
Dalbye, 37, 38
Darcy, Lord, 143
Darcy, Sir Thos., 143
Dawson, G. R., 73
De Neholennce, 23
Dean, John, 124
Deansgate, 71
Dean's Grounds, 71
Denmark, 35, 37
Denmark, King of. 39
Derby, County of, 30
Docks, The, 185, 248
Dobson, Edward, 24S
Doggs flesh a dainty dish, 170
Doomsday Book, 44
Douglas, W., 72
Draper, Lawrence, 95
Drinking Customs, 42, 43
Drogo de Bensere, 44, 157
Druids, 28, 152, 153
Druidism, 18
Druidical Temple, 17
Dryden, 129

Ducking Stools, Grimsby Digni-
taries subjected to, 88-105
Ducking Chair, Haven, 104, 179
Dumpling, Johnny, 74
Dunham on-Trent, 87
Dwellings, Early, 24

Early Trade and Commerce, 77-92
Easter Levies, 78
Eden Hugo, 115
Edelsey, King, 8, 9
Edward I, 49, 84, 175
Edward II, 64, 89
Edward III, 90, 110
Edward IV, 162

Digitized byVjOOQlC

2s6

INDEX.

Edward VI, 123

Edmund, Kinsr of East Anglia, 35
Educational, 241
Eeorton, Sir Charles, 143
Elections, Bribery at, 195
Elections, Close, 194
Elections, First at, 187
Election, Pole's and Wood's. 131
Elections, Reds and Blues, 192
Elections, Rivalry at, 191
Elections, Statistics of, 194, 197,

219, 221, 222
Election Incidents, 199, 200, 201,

224
Elizabeth, Queen, 123
EUys, Thos., 127
Ellyn Hill. 27, 28
Ethelbrieht, King, 8
Essex, 29
Empringham, Michael, 104, 138,

191
Empringham, Mr. 57, 136, 183
Empringham, Richard, 138, 146
Empringham, Robert, 138
Empringham, Sir John, 96, 137,

138

Feast of Marv Magdelyn, 163

Feast of Mydsomer Even, 163

Feast of St. Matthew. 137

Feast of Penticost. 163

Ferry between Grimsby and Hull,
94 158

Fisheries, 79; Decay of, 192;
E£forts to restore. 173

Fitties' West Marsh. 144

Fitties' Great Coats, 135

Fitzroy. Hon. H., M.P., 221

Fleet Street, 133

Florentine Merchants & Grimsby
Trade, 78

Floods, Destructive, 177

Foreigners, Disqualifications of, 62

Fotherby, 41

Fotherby, Bishop of Salisbury. 148

Fotherby, John, 143, 144

Fotherby, Maurice, 148

Fotherby, Martin, D.D., 147

Fotherby, Dr. J., Dean of Canter-
bury, 148

Fortebus, Wm. de, 79

Fortebus, Isabella de, 80

Fountenay, Simon de, 146

Frank, Pledge of King John, 121

Fraunk, Sir Wm., 136

Fraunk, Sir Thoe., 137
Freshney, River, 116. 134, 135,

175
Freemen, 61, 189
Freemen, Full Court of, 63
Friscians, 29
Frodingham, 40

Gainsborough, 87

Gannocks, The, 134

Gardiner, Robt., 141

Gedge, Rev. Mr., 73

Geese, Law for them to be
•' pygoned," 163

Gildwit, 86

Glasyner, W., Mayor, 64, 138,
139, 140, 162

Glanford Brigg, 112

Gloucester, Robert of, 6

Golceby, 124

Golderburg, Princess, 7, 8

Good Queen Bess, 198

Gordon, Robert Home, 194

(Joxhill, 41

Grant, J. P., M.P., 195

Grammar School, 341

Gregory and British Youths, 30

Gronow, Rees Howell, Esq., 213

Gronow,- Election Address of, 214

Grosteste, Robt., Bishop of Lin-
coln, 60

Gryme, (Jreme, Grime, 2, 3, 4, 9,
10, 24, 35

Grymesby, Edmund de. 111, 241

Grymesby, John de, 112

Grymesby, Petrous de, 1 12

Grymesby, Sir Peter, 112

Grymesby, Walter de, 110, 112

Guide to Cleethorpes, 248

Gunster, 6

Habrough, 41
Habloc, 7
Haconnby

Hagworthingham, 167
Hall, Joseph, 72
Hall, The, 116
Halton, Robert, 192
Halsham, Peter de, 137
Hanging a Priest, 160
Hanley, John de, 82
Hansley, Patrick, 144
Hanseatic Merchants, 78
Harrison, Bransby, Esq., 71
Harrison, John, M.P., 197

Digitized byVjOOQlC

INDEX.

257

Harris, Capt., M.P., 213-219

Harris, Election Address, 216-217

Hardicanute, 102

Haslerton, Sir Thos., 50

Hausage, 65

HatcliSe, Christopher, 120, 148

HatclifTe, Stephen, 121

HatclifFe, Sir Thos., 120

Hateliflfe, William, Aid., 120, 242

Haven, The, 135

Hastings, Battle of, 110

Haveloek, 2, 8

Havello^e, 2, 8

Havloc, 2, 8

Havloc, Story of, 4, 5, 6

Hayton Croft, 180

Hazeltine's Monument, 67

Healing, 191

Hempringham, John, 138-141

Heneage, George, 191

Heneage, Edward, 222

Heneage, John, 119-147

Heneage, Sir Thomas, 46

Heneage, Lady Cathrine, 46

Henry I, 45

Henry II, 44

Henry HI, 47-59, 64, 159

Henry IV, 50

Henry VI, 162

Henry VII, 59-62, 97, 138, 163

Henry VIII, 46, 47-52, 115, 123,
143, 145, 165

Hengist, 31

High Street, 71-122

Highbury, 41

Hill, Henry, 140

High Sheriff of County, 113

Hilfort, 41

Historic Records, 150, 241

History, Written and Unwritten,
150, 151

Historical Manuscript Commis-
sion Report, 246

Hobhouse, H. W., Esq., 213

Hobhouse, Election Address of,
215

Hocktide, 101

Hollingshead, 19

Holies, Gervase, M.P., 3, 4. 5, 128,
149, 170

Holies, Folio MSS, 5

Holies, Sir F. M., M.P., 129-147

Holies, Sir F. M., M.P., Killed in
Battle, 130

Holderness, 113

Holte, Rev. Mark, 149

Holgate, William de, 86

Hopkin,,Mr. J., 47

Horsa, 31, 33

Holbeck, 38

Holton, 40

Holme Hill, 15, 16, 19, 27, 37, 43,

78
Hood, Robin, 100, 103
Horskeford Money, 86
Hospitalers, House of, 18, 51, 52
Hostwood Manor, 95
Hotel, Royal, 185
Hotham, Sir John, 125
House, Church, 100
House, Ivy, 115
Hinguar Hill, 35

Hu Sovereign Deity of Britain, 20
Hubbard Hills, 35
Hubber, 35
Huborgh, 41
Hull, 64, 113, 115, 172
Humber, River, 16, 18, 19, 22, 34,

38, 85, 175, 183
Humberstone, 34, 35, 159, 178
Hunger Hill, 35
Button, John, 124
Hussye, Thomas, Esq., 147
Hyll, Robert, 144

Icelandic Writers, 24

Ida, 30

Illustrated London News, 152

Immingham, 40

Infantry, Volunteer, 175

Invasion of France, Grimsby's

Contribution, 89
Itterby, 114, 117, 157
Isabella, Queen Dowager, 136

Jackson, Dickie, 8, 11

James II, Letters Patent from, 56

Johnson, Wm., 13

John, King, 61, 96

Joys, Richard, 73

Julius, 33

Jutes, The, 29

Kal, Edmund de, 136
Kaldehall, 47
Keelby, 38, 110, 157
Kelsey, 117

Kennington, Alderman, 199
Kent, Kingdom of, 29
Ketell, 5

17

Digitized byVjOOQlC

^58

INDEX.

Ketelsby, 6

Kettelby, 127

Ker, H. Bellender, M.P.. 221

Keyage, 65

Rinf^tone, James, 89, 138

Kingstone, John, 129, 145, 146,

187
King, Edward, M.P., 128
King's Antiu., quoted, 19
Kirketon, Allan de, 88
Knight's Pic. Hist. Eng., 26
Knat, King, 9
Kynyar Ferry, 87

Laceby, 38, 77, 87, 166

Lacy, Hen. de, 86, 87, 142

Lacy, Robt., 142

Lady, Church, at Lincoln, 144

Lady, Chappell, 69

Laughing in Church, 149

Lawrence, Sir Kobt., 124

Lastage, 65

Leicester, 19, 127

Leland, 8

Leofric, Earl of Mercia, 153

LSte, The, 55

Lincoln, 19, 86, 127, 179, 190

Lilbum, Wm., 139

Lincolnshire, 29, 35, 37

„ People of, 155

„ North, 29, 30

Lindesay, 8

Lindsey, 9

Local Karnes, Fourfold use, 11

Loft, Colonel, 175

„ John Henry, M.P., 194, 195

Loft Street, 184, 185

Loughboro, Lord, M.P., 181, 222

Louth, 88

Lou tit, Rev. J., 75

Ludford, 19

Ludbro, 76

Lucy, Sir W., 52

Lydyngton, Peter de, 91

Lynde, Sir Walter de la, 87

Mablethorpe, 148
Maerleyre, Wm., 192
Malberthorpe, Robert de, 91
Machpherson, Annals of Com-
merce, 23
Manby, Robert, Gent., 95
Marshall, Carr, Rev., 76
Marshall, W., Gent., 71, 95
Marsh, East, 78, 170

Marsh West, 78, 170

„ The, 177, 185

„ Extent of, 183
Mason, Peter, 121, 143
Mason, Michael, 123, 143, 144
Massacre of the Danes, 39
Mayor Choosing, 56
Mayson, Cathrine, 124, 241
Maximinus, 30
Maxwell, Captain W., M.P., 221,

222
Maypole, 102, 103
MeUsh, W., M.P., 194
Merchard, W., 137
Mercia, Kingdom of, 30, 154
Mes Buke Uooly, The, 140
Messer Rich, 88
Mesynden, Frances, 191
„ Maister, 139

Methodist Chapel, 174
M.S. and L. RaUway, 179, 180
Mill HiU, 17
Military Roads, 30
Minage, 65
Money, Value of, 39
Monuments, 67

Monastries, Dissolution of, 164
Moot, Bell Ringing of, 58

„ Hall. 60
Moore, Arthur, High Steward

and M.P., 119
Mortimer, Ralph De, 157
Moridunum, 19
Musgrave, Thomas de, 93

Names, Their Origin, 2
Napoleon I., Threatened Invasion

of, 175
National Sunday School, 243
NehalenmsB, 23
New Street, 184, 42
Newby, Dr., 73
NewsteuEul, 124
Nomonie, A curious, 106
Norman Conquest, 156
Norse Old, 39
North. Dudley, M.P., 197
Northumberland, Earl of, 93
Norwegians, Early, 23, 35
Nottingrham. Bailiffs of. contest

with Bailiffs of Grimsby, 87
Nottingham, Bishop of, 161
Nun-Ormby, 6

Nunnery. St. Leonard's, 48, 77
Nuns, The, 27

Digitized byVjOOQlC

INDEX.

259

Nundy, Mr., Anecdote of, 199
Nuttall, Benny, 74

Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Grant of
Grimeby to, 44, 155, 156

Old Haven, 16, 22

Old Town Hall, 60

Oliver, Dr., History of Grimsby,
145, 195

Byrde of Gryme, 7, 44, 59,
100, 102, 109, 113, 118, 122,
132, 248

Monumental Antiquities, 15, 16,
18, 21, 26

Origin of Names, 2

Orme, 5

Ormesby, 5

Orwenne, 8

Oxford Parliament, 147

Patrington, 1

Parliament, The first in England,
186

Parliament Man, A Public-
spirited, 173

Parliament, Long, The, 129

Passage, 65

Peaks, 17

Pedigree of the English People,
13

Pee-wit Land, 179

Pelham, Mr., 95

„ Henry, M.P., 128
„ Sir William, 119; curious
letter from, 169

Peppercome, 97,

Pepy's Diary, 130

Petre, Lord, 125

Philip and Mary, 124

Picts and Scots, 30

Pilgrimage of Grace, 164

Pole, Hon. W. Westley, 197

Poll, Sir William, 66

Pontage, 65

Pontanus, 8

Porter, F., duel with, 129

Praitorium, 12

Proctor Saur, 149

Proportion of British and Norman
Population, 32

Pyweep House, 179

Py wipe Inn, 179

Pryme, Rev. A., His Description
of Grimsby, 171-172

Quarter Sessions, 58
Queen Elizabeth, 167, 172

Ralph de Mortimer, 44
Raven, Standard of the, 35
Ravenser, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86
Ravensrodd , dispute with Grimsby

79, 109
Rayner, Edmundus, the Deacon,

109
Recorder, 58
Reds and Blues, 192, 193
Reform Bill, 192, 197
Religious Institutions, 226
Report of Historical Manuscript

Commission, 59, 241
Riby, 38
River Head, 78
River Humber, see Humber
Robinson, Jabez, 199
Roman Arts, 29
Roman Civilization, advantages

of, 30
Roman occupation of England,

period of, 29
Roman Remains in Grimsby, 17
Romans, Retirement of, from

Britain, 30
Romans, The, 24, 150
Romilius, 33

Rossitor, Colonel Edward, 125
Rowena, 33
Russel, W., 136
Russian Folk-Lore, 179

Sand Hills, 18, 27
Sandhouse, 48

Sanderson, Robert, M.P., 127
Sauntivile, a Danish Idol, wor-
ship of, 43
Saxon Remains, 33

„ Supremacy in England, 33
Saxons, The, 24, 29, 33

„ West, 29
Say, Lord, Clinton and, 127
Scarlett, Sir John, 117
Scartho, 34, 64, 156
Schaddewrth, Robert de, 80
Scolds, Ducking of, 103
Scope, Sir Andrew, 129

„ ,, Thomas, 165
Scott, William, 168
Scotland Lane, 125
Scotter, 127
Scotts, 30

Digitized byVjOOQlC

26o

INDEX.

8krop0hir«, WiUiAm de, 111

Scymer, Robert, 105

Seaton, 19

Seals, 46

See, Sir Martin dela, 117

See, Sir John de la, 117

See, Sir Peter de la, 1151 16

See, Sir Bernard de la, 116

See, Sir Stephen de la, 54, 96,

116
Secundus, an ancient merchant,

23
Seleby, Robert de, 83
Seymour Mule Bridj^e, 184
Shakespeare's Pear-tree, 118

„ Sonnet, 118

Shelley, John Villiers, 213, 219
Shelley, Election, address of, 218
Sheriff, Johannes, 188
Silsbury Hill, 26, 28
Sixhills, 41

Skipwick, Geor(^e, 192
Skipwith, Edward, 127
Skipworth, Captain H., 5
Skyatt, Henry, 142
Smyton, John, 165
Swallow, 110
Smyth, Antony, 95
Solway, The, 31
Spittal Garths, 54

„ Hill, 17, 18,52

,, House, 52
Sports and Pastimes, 93, 108
Stan^, Riding ^he, 105
Stalhngburg, Rodger de, 82
Stallingboro, 110
Stackhouse, 25
St. Saviour's Glee, 114
Stephenson, George^ 251
Sutton, Bishop Lin, 159
Storr, 41

Stone Bridge, The, 133
Storme, Richard of Ilterby, 114
Stopious, John, 141
Stockwith, 173
Stukely, Dr., 25
Stow, 34
Suffolk, 29, 39
Sweyn of Denmark, 9, 156

Tacitus, 24

Tarratt, Edward, 192

Teut, Principal Deity of Ancient

Britons, 19
Terrage, 65

Tetney, 35, 37
Thanes, 61, 154
Thetford, 35
Thimoldby, John, 125
Thingsby, W., 105
Thor, 33
Thomlynson, 53
Thometon, Gilbert de, 80

„ Robert de, 80

Thorold, Rev., 76
Thoresby, Robert de, 80
Thamsco, 157
Tides, Invasion of the, 25
Timothy Turnabout, 2, 9
ToU Bar, 185
Topographer, The, 3
Toothill, 19, 20, 28
Tosti, 156
Trade in Malt, 91
Trade, Early, and Commerce, 79

92
Translaye, Patrick, 144
Treebucket, 106, 107
Trotho, King of Denmark, 8
Tumuli, 15
Turnabout Tommy, How, won a

wife and an election, 201
Tyrwhith Hall, 118

,, Sir Marmaduke, 127,
191

„ Sir Philip, 131

Sir Robert, 118, 127,
191

„ William, 127

„ Tristram, Esq., M.P.,
127

Ubba, 29

Ubber or Ubbo, 35
Ulceby, 38, 168
Ulterby, 41

Valence, Sir William de, 87
Vane, Sir Henry, Junior, 126
Via Fossa, 18
Vicars, William, 140
VictoriuB, St., 184
Villuis, 35, 36
Virgin, Nativity of, 94
Viveesly, Phillip de, 135
Visit of Henry VIII., 145
Voluntary Infantry, 175
Vortigen, 31, 33

Vote, Market Value of, 195, 1Q6,
197

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INDEX.

261

Walker, George, 247
Waltham. 40, 111
Watson, John, 58 '

„ Thomas, 144
Weelsby, William de. 114
Wele, WilUelmus, 113

„ Walter de, 113

,, Richard de, 115
Welby, Adam, 136
Wellow Abbey, 17
Well's, Manor of, 95
Welldale Poll, 108
Weltongate, 144
Wentworth, H., 120
Westmoreland, Earl of, 54, 137,

138, 188, 190*
Wessex, 29

Whale driven on shore, 178
Wharton Molly, 201
Whitgift, Henry, 147
White Hart, 75
Wild. Rev. J., 3, 44
William the Conqueror, 44, 110
William de la Perei, 44

Will of W. Bornett, 167

Willett, Paul. Rev., 149

Winch, Xpopher, 190

Woden, 33

Wolds, The, 25

Worlaby, 38

Worth, 73

Wood, Robert, 197

Wright, John, 139

„ Robert, 68, 146

Wray, Sir Christopher, 125
„ Sir John, 126
,, Sir William, 126
„ William, Esq., 126, 127

Wynde, John, 62

Yarborough, Lord, 128
Ye Byrde of Gryme, 248
York, 127

Zealand, 13
Zelle Even, 163
Ziphiline, 21

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SOME RECENT BOOKS

PUBLISHED BY

WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO.,

5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, LONDON, E.G.

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•• Mr. Andrews* books are always interesting." — Church Bells

" No student of Mr. Andrews* books can be a dull after-dinner speaker,
for his writings are full of curious out-of-the-way information and good
stories." — Birmingham Daiy OazetU,

England in the Days of Old.

By WILLIAM ANDREWS, f.r.h.s.,
Demy 8vo,, 78. 6d, Numerous lUwtrations,

This volume is one of unusual interest and value to the lover
of olden days and ways, and can hardly fail to interest and
instruct the reader. It recalls many forgotten episodes, scenes,
characters, manners, customs, etc., in the social and domestic
life of England.

Contents :— When Wigs were Worn— Powdering the Hair— Men
Wearing Muffs — Concerning Corporation Customs — Bribes for the Palate
— Rebel Heads on City Gates — Burial at Cross Roads — Detaining the Dead
for Debt — A Nobleman's Household in Tudor Times — Bread and Baking
in Bygone Days— Arise, Mistress, Arise !— The Turnspit— A Gossip about
the Goose — Bells as Time-Tellers — The Age of Snuffing — State Lotteries —
Bear-Baiting — Morris Dancers — The Folk-Lore of Midsummer Eve —
Harvest Home— Curious Charities— An Old-Time Chronicler.

List of Illustrations .-—The House of Commons in the time of Sir
Robert Walpole — Egyptian Wig— The Earl of Albemarle— Campaign Wig
— Periwig with Tail —Ramillie- Wig— Pig- tail Wig— Bag-Wig — Archbishop
Tilotson — Heart-Breakers —A Barber's Shop in the time of Queen Elizabeth
— With and Without a Wig — Stealing a Wig — Man with Muff, 1693 —
Burying the Mace at Nottingham — The Lord Mayor of York escorting
Princess Margaret — The Mayor of Wycombe going to the Guildhall —
Woman wearing a Scold's Bridle — The Brank — Andrew Marvell — Old
London Bridge, shewing heads of rebels on the gate— Axe, Block, and
Executioner's Mask — Margaret Roper taking leave of her father. Sir Thomas
More — Rebel Heads, from a print published in 1746— Temple Bar in Dr.
Johnson's time — Micklegate Bar, York — Clock, Hampton Court Palace —
Drawing a Lottery in the Guildhall, 1751 — Advertising the Last State
Lottery — Partaking of the Pungent Pinch — Morris Dance, from a painted
window at Betley — Morris Dance, temp. James L — A Whitsun Morris
Dance— Bear Garden, or Hope Theatre, 1647 — The Globe Theatre, temp.
Elizabeth — Plan of Bankside early in the Seventeenth Century — ^John Stow's
Monument.

A carefully prepared Index enables the reader to refer to the varied and
interesting contents of the book.

•* A very attractive and informing book." — Birmingham Daily Gazette,

** A most entertaining book." — Hull Critic,

"The book is of unusual interest." — Eastern Morning News.

•* Of the many clever books which Mr. Andrews has written none does
him greater credit than "England in the Days of Old," and none will be
read with greater profit." — Northern Gazette,

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Antiquities and Curiosities of the Church.

Edited by WILLIAM ANDREWS, f.r.h.s.

Demy 8uo , 78. 6d, Numerous INuatrationa,

Contents : — Church History and liisiorians — Supernatural Interference
in Church Building — Ecclesiastical Symbolism in Architecture— Acoustic
Jars— Crypts— Heathen Customs at Christian Feasts— Fish and Fasting —
Shrove-tide and Lenten Customs — Wearing Hats in Church— The Stool of
Repentance— Cursing by Bell, Book, and Candle — Pulpits— Church
Windows— Alms- Boxes and Alms- Dishes —Old Collecting Boxes— Gar-
goyles — Curious Vanes — People and Steeple Rhymes — Sun-Dials — ^Jack of
the Clock-House— Games in Churchyards — Circular Churchyards — Church
and Churchyard Charms and Cures — Yew Trees in Churchyards.

** A very entertaining yrork"— Leeds Mercury,

** A well-printed, handsome, and profusely illustrated work." — Norfolk
Chronicle.

'* There is much curious and interesting reading in this popular volume,
which moreover has a useful index." — Glasgow Herald.

** The contents of the volume is exceptionally good reading, and crowjded
with out-of-the way, useful, and well selected information on a subject
which has an undying interest." — Birmingham Mercury.

<* In concluding this notice it is only the merest justice to add that every
page of it abounds with rare and often amusing information, drawn from
the most accredited sources. It also abounds with illustrations of our old
English authors, and it is likely to prove welcome not only to the
Churchman, but to the student of folk-lore and of poetical literature." —
Motning Post,

'* We can recommend this volume to all who are interested in the
notable and curious things that relate to churches and public worship in
this and other countries." — Newcastle Daily Journal.

" It is very handsomely got up and admirably printed, the letterpress
being beautifully clear." — Lincoln Mercury.

"The book is well indexed."— ZPaji?^ Chronicle.

" By delegating certain topics to those most capable ot treating them,
the editor has the satisfaction of presenting the best available information
in a very attractive manner." — Dundee Advertiser.

" It must not be supposed that the book is of interest only to Church-
men, although primarily so, for it treats in such a skilful and instructive
manner with ancient manners and customs as to make it an invaluable
book of reference to all who are concerned in the seductive study of
antiquarian subjects."— C^j/^ Courant.

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The Cross, in Ritual, Architecture^ and Art

By the rev. GEO. S. TYACK, ra.
Crown 8uo,, 8b, 6d, Numerous llluatrationa.

The Author of this Volume has brought together much
valuable and out-of-the-way information which cannot fail to
interest and instruct the reader. The work is the result of
careful study, and its merits entitle it to a permanent place in
public and private libraries. Many beautiful illustrations
add to the value of the Volume.

" This book is reverent, learned, and interesting, and will be read with a
great deal of profit by anyone who wishes to study the history of the sign of
our Redemption."— C^Mr^A Times.

" A book of equal interest to artists, archaeologists, architects, and the
clergy has been written by the Rev. G. S. Tyack, upon * The Cross in
Ritual, Architecture, and Art.' Although Mr. Tyack nas restricted him-
self to this country, this work is sufficiently complete for its purpose, which
is to show the manifold uses to which the Cross, the symbol of the
Christian Faith, has been put in Christian lands. It treats of the Cross in
ritual, in Church ornament, as a memorial of the dead, and in secular
mason work ; of preaching crosses, wayside and boundary crosses, well
crosses, market crosses, and the Cross in heraldry. Mr. Tyack has had the
assistance of Mr. William Andrews, to whom he records his indebtedness
for the use of his collection of works, notes, and pictures ; but it is evident
that this book has cost many years of research on his own part. It
is copiously and well illustrated, lucidly ordered and written, and
deserves to be widely known." — Yorkshire Post,

'* This is an exhaustive treatise on a most interesting subject, and Mr.
Tyack has proved himself to be richly informed and fully qualified to deal
with it. All lovers of ecclesiastical lore will find the volume instructive
and suggestive, while the ordinary reader will be surprised to find that the
Cross in the churchyard or by the roadside has so many meanings and
si^ificances. Mr. Tyack divides his work into eight sections, begmning
with the pre-Christian cross, and then tracing its development, its adapt-
ations, its special uses, and applications, and at all times bringing out clearly
its symbolic purposes. We have the history of the Cross in the Church, of
its use as an ornament, and of its use as a public and secular instrument ;
then we get a chapter on 'Memorial Crosses,' and another on 'Wayside
and Boundary Cross.* The volume teems with facts, and it is evident
that Mr. Tyack has made his study a labour of love, and spared no
research in order, within the prescribed limits, to make his work complete.
He has given us a valuable work of reference, and a very instructive
and entertaining volume." — Birmingham Daily Gazette,

" An engrossing and instructive narrative." — Dundee Advertiser,

"As a popular account of the Cross in history, we do not know that a
better book can be named." — Glasgow Herald,

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Historic Dress of the Clergy.

By thb Rev. GEO. S. TYACK, b.a.,

Author of "The Cross in Ritual, Architecture, and Art."

Groum, doth extra^ Sa. 6d.

The work contains thirty-three illustrations from ancient
monuments, rare manuscripts, and other sources.

'* A very painstaking and very valuable volume on a subject which is just
now attracting much attention. Mr. Tyack has collected a large amount
of information from sources not available to the unlearned, and has put
together his materials in an attractive way. The book deserves and is sure
to meet with a wide circulation." — Daily Chronicle,

"This book is written with great care, and with an evident knowledge
of history. It is well worth the study of all who wish to be better informed
upon a subject which the author states in his preface gives evident signs of
a lively and growing interest." — Manchester Courier.

" Those who are interested in the Dress of the Clergy will find full in-
formation gathered together here, and set forth in a lucid and scholarly
way." — Glasgow Herald,

"We are glad to welcome yet another volume from the author of * The
Cross in Ritual, Architecture, and Art.' His subject, chosen widely and
carried out comprehensively, makes this a valuable book of reference for
all classes. It is only the antiquary and the ecclesiologist who can devote
time and talents to research of this kind, and Mr. Tyack has done a real
and lasting service to the Church of England by collecting so much useful
and reliable information upon the dress of the clergy in all ages, and offering
it to the public in such a popular form. We do not hesitate to recommend
this volume as the most reliable and the most comprehensive illustrated
guide to the history and origin of the canonical vestments and other dress
worn by the clergy, whether ecclesiastical, academical, or general, while
the excellent work in typography and binding make it a beautiful ^it-
hooV:*— Church Bells.

" A very lucid history of ecclesiastical vestments from Levitical times to
the present day."— i>aW MdU Gazette.

"The book can be recommended to the undoubtedly large class of
persons who are seeking information on this and kindred subjects." — The
Times.

"The work may be read either as pastime or for instruction, and is
worthy of a place in the permanent section of any library. The numerous
illustrations, extensive contents table and index, and beautiful workmanship,
both in typography and binding, are all features of attraction and utility."
— Dundee Advertiser.

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Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and
Lawyers.

Edited by WILLIAM ANDREWS, f.r.h.s.
Demy 9vo.y Cloth extra, 7s, 6d.

Contents:— Bible Law — Sanctuaries — Trials in Superstitious Age:
On Symbols Law Under the Feudal System — The AJanor and Manor
Law— Ancient Tenures — Laws of the Forest — Trial by Jury in Old Times
— Barbarous Punishments — Trials of Animals — Devices of the Sixteenth
Century Debtors — Laws Relating to the Gipsies — Commonwealth Law and
Lawyers — Cock-Fighting in Scotland — Cockieleerie Law — Fatal Links —
Post- Mortem Trials— Island Laws— The Little Inns of Court— Obiter.

"There are some very amusing and curious facts concerning law and
lawyers. We have read with much interest the articles on Sanctuaries,
Trials in Superstitious Ages, Ancient Tenures, Trials by Jury in Old Times,
Barbarous Punishments, and Trials of Animals, and can heartily recommend
the volume to those who wish for a few hours' profitable diversion in the
study of what may be called the light literature of the law." — Daily Mail,

" Most amusing and instructive reading." — The Scotsman,

" The contents of the volume are extremely entertaining, and convey not a
little information on ancient ideas and habits of life. While members of
the legal profession will turn to the work for incidents with which to
illustrate an argument or point a joke, laymen will enjoy its vivid
descriptions of old fashioned proceedings and often semi-barbaric ideas to
obligation and rectitude." — Dundee Advertiser,

"The subjects chosen are extremely interesting, and contain a quantity
of out-of-the-way and not easily accessible information. . . - Very
tastefully printed and bound." — Birmingham Daily Gazette,

" The book is handsomely got up ; the style throughout is popular and
clear, and the variety of its contents, and the individuality of the writers
gave an added charm to the work. " — Daily Free Press,

** The book is interesting both to the general reader and the student" —
Cheshire Notes and Queries,

" Those who care only to be amused will find plenty of entertainment in
this volume, while those who regard it as a work of reference will rejoice at
the variety of material, and appreciate the careful indexing." — Dundee
Courier,

** Very interesting subjects, lucidly and charmingly written. The
versatility of the work assures for it a wide popularity." — Northern Gazette,

" A happy and useful addition to current literature."— iVor/^W Chronicle,

** The book is a very fescinating one, and it is specially interesting to
students of history as showing the vast changes which, by gradual course of
development have been brought about both in the principles and practice of
the law."— T'A^ Evening Gazette,

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The Doomed Ship ; or, The Wreck in the
Arctic Regions.

By WILLIAM HURTON.
Crown Svo., Elegantly Bound, Gilt extra, js, 6d,

"There is no lack of adventures, and the writer has a matter-of-fact way
of teUing them." — Spectator.

** * The Doomed Ship,' by William Hurton, is a spirited tale of adventures
in the old style of sea-stories. Mr. Hurton seems to enter fully into the
manliness of sea life." — Idler.

Chronologies and Calendars.

By JAMES C. MACDONALD, f.s.a. Scot.
Crown 8vo. , price ys. 6d.

** It is unlike most books on its subject in being brief and readable to an
unlearned student. But its chief interest "and its unquestionable value is for
those who consider dates more curiously than most men need do in an age
in which incorporated societies endeavour to persuade a man to insure his
life by presenting him with an illuminated table of days. Those who are
engaged in original historical- researches will find it invaluable both for
study and for reference." — 7 he Scotsman.

"A large amount of carefully prepared information." — Aberdeen Free
Press,

A Lawyer's Secrets.

By HERBERT LLOYD.
Author of **The Children of Chance," etc.

Price One Shilling,

** Mr. Herbert Lloyd gives us a succession of stories which may
reasonably be taken to have their origin in the experience of a lawyer
practicing at large in the criminal courts. It is natural that they
should be of a romantic nature ; but romance is not foreign to a
lawyer's consulting room, so that this fact need not be charged against
this lawyer's veracity. . . . The stories, seven in all, cover the
ground of fraud and murder, inspired by the prevailing causes of
crime — greed and jealousy. Our lawyer is happy in naving the
majority of his clients the innocent victims of false charges inspired
and fostered in a great measure by their own folly; but this is a
natural phase of professional experience, and we are only concerned
with the fact that ne generally manages it as effectively in the interests
of his clients as his editor does in presenting them to his audience."
— Literary World.

" A volume of entertaining stories. . . . The book has much the
same interest as a volume of detective stories, except that putting the
cases in a lawyer's mouth gives them a certain freshness. It is well
written, and makes a capital volume for a railway journey,"— The
Scotsman.

**A very entertaining volume." — Birmingham Daily Oaaette,

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In The Temple.

By a BARRISTER-AT-LAW.

Price One Shilling.

This book opens with a chapter on the history of the
Temple. Next follows an account of the Knight Templars.
The story of the Devil's Own is given in a graphic manner.
A Sketch of Christmas in the Temple is included. In an
entertaining manner the reader is informed how to become a
Templar, the manner of keeping terms is described, and lastly,
the work concludes with a chapter on call parties.

** Amusing and interesting sketches," — Law Times,

" Pleasing gossip about the barristers' quarters."— 7%* Gentlewoman.

"A pleasant little volume."— 7%* Globe,

The Red, Red Wine.

By the rev. J. JACKSON WRAY.

Grown 8vo,, SSO pp. A portrait of the Author and other iUustrationa.

Price Ss. 6d.

" This, as its name implies, is a temperance story, and is told in the
lamented author's most graphic style. We have never read anything so
powerful since ' Danesbury House/ and this book in stern and pathetic
earnestness even excels that widely-known book. It is worthy a place in
every Sunday School and village library ; and, as the latest utterance of
one whose writings are so deservedly popular, it is sure of a welcome. It
should give decision to some whose views about Local Option are hazy."

" The story is one of remarkable power." — The Temperance Record,
** An excellent and interesting story."— 7%^ Temperance Chronicle,

Faces on the Queen's Highway.

By FLO. JACKSON.

Elegantly Bound, Crown Svo,^ price S8, 6d,

Thouoh oftenest to be found in a pensive mood, the writer
of this very dainty volume of sketches is always very sweet
and winning. She has evidently a true artist's love of
nature, and in a few lines can limn an autumn landscape full of
colour, and the life which is on the down slope. And she can
tell a very taking story, as witness the sketch "At the Inn,"
and " The. Master of White Hags," and ail her characters are
real, live flesh-and-blood people, who do things naturally, and
give very great pleasure to the reader accordingly. Miss Jackson'
gifts are of a very high order. — Aberdeen Free Press.

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* Valuable and interesting. "—7%* TXmes,

' Readable as well as instructive." — Tke Globe.

*A valuable addition to any VCatzx^.^* ^Derbyshire Times,

The Bygone Series.

In this series the following volumes are included, and issued at 7s. 6d.
each. Demy 8vo., cloth gilt.

These books have been favourably reviewed in the leading critical
iournals of England and America.

Carefully written articles by recognised authorities are included on
history, castles, abbeys, biography, romantic episodes, legendary lore,
traditional stories, curious customs, folk-lore, etc., etc.

The works are illustrated by eminent artists, and by the reproduction of
quaint pictures of the olden time.

BYGONE BERKSHIRE, edited by Rev. P. H. Ditchfield, M.A., F.s.A.

BYGONE CHESHIRE, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

BYGONE DERBYSHIRE, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

BYGONE ESSEX, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

BYGONE ENGLAND, by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

BYGONE KENT, edited by Richard Stead, b.a.

BYGONE LANCASHIRE, edited by Ernest Axon.

BYGONE LEICESTERSHIRE, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

BYGONE LINCOLNSHIRE (2 vols.), edited by William Andrews,

F.R.H.S.

BYGONE LONDON, by Frederick Ross, F.R.H.S.

BYGONE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, by William Stevenson.

BYGONE SCOTLAND, by David Maxwell, c.E.

BYGONE SOMERSETSHIRE, edited by Cuming Walters.

BYGONE SOUTHWARK, by Mrs. E. Boger.

BYGONE SURREY, edited by George Clinch and S. W. Kershaw, F.s.A.

BYGONE SUSSEX, by W. E. A. Axon.

BYGONE WARWICKSHIRE, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s

BYGONE YORKSHIRE, edited by William Andrews, f.r.h.s.

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JUL 3 - !S3!

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